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Skimming the news ... Anna Maria Island map in this edition, page 16.

l Anna Maria

The

Islander

"The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992"

www.islander.org

Volume 12, No. 36 July 14, 2004 FREE

Discovery Channel to re-enact
Island anchor impalement
A Discovery Channel film crew is scheduled to be
at Galati Marine in Anna Maria this week to film a re-
enactment of a bizarre incident that occurred in local
waters more than 10 years ago, in which an anchor was
impaled in the head of a fisherman (The Islander,
March 3, 1994).
Ex-metropolitan police chief in Washington, D.C.,
and Island visitor Maurice Cullinane was fishing with
friends on a boat off the north end of the Island on Feb.
26, 1994, when the anchor line flew off the boat, snapped
back and imbedded itself in the back of Cullinane's skull.
Cullinane's fellow boaters described the incident at
the time, saying they were headed around the north end of
Anna Maria in a rough, choppy water and the anchor flew
off the front deck of the boat. The anchor rope reached its
limit and the airborne anchor boomeranged back to the
boat, striking Cullinane in his seat at the bow.
Mark Gobo and Ed Edmund, then owners of Offshore
Towing based at Galati Marine in Anna Maria, responded
to the call for help and brought Cullinane and his friends
aboard their boat back to the Galati docks.
From there, complete with the 20-pound anchor in
the back of his head, Cullinane was taken by emer-
gency medical technicians to the Anna Maria Island
Community Center where he was airlifted to Bayfront
Medical Center in St. Petersburg.
Although he was in critical condition, physicians
there managed to remove the anchor and Cullinane
survived the incident. He has returned to the Island for
visits several times since the mishap, according to
management at a local resort.

By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
While incumbents in all three Island cities have
picked up packets as a prelude to this week's qualify-
ing deadline for the November elections, several "un-
known" candidates and at least one newcomer have
also picked up packets.
In Anna Maria, former Mayor Gary Deffenbaugh
has picked up a packet, as have did City Commissioner
Duke Miller. Mayor SueLynn and City Commissioner
Linda Cramer have already qualified, according to a
spokesperson at the Manatee County Supervisor of
Elections Office.

DOT: Key Royale Bridge

still usable
Following a meeting with Holmes Beach city com-
missioners on the Key Royale Bridge June 29, the
Florida Department of Transportation has explained
that the term "functionally obsolete" does not mean the
bridge is unsafe or structurally unsound.
Ed Ponce of the DOT explained in a letter to Com-
missioner Don Maloney that the term "functionally
obsolete" means the bridge does not meet current DOT
standards for bridges.
"By no means does the term 'functionally obsolete'
refer to the structural capability of the bridge itself,"
Ponce said. The bridge has been deemed "structurally
sufficient" and is capable of handling the required traf-
fic and pedestrian loads "that it was specifically de-
signed to accommodate," he concluded.
Maloney said he planned to discuss the bridge issue
further at the commission workshop Tuesday, July 13.

-( r ManaSota.88,

S Island cities again

Ouch
The bizarre incident 10 years ago of a man impaled
by an anchor offshore of Anna Maria and caught lon
film during the medical rescue by then Islander
reporter-photographer Mark Rathlif is the subject of
a Discovery Channel documentary on impalements.

challenge Perico
By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria
have joined forces with the environmental group
ManaSota-88 for another legal challenge to the pro-
posed Arvida condominium project on Perico Island.
Attorney Ralf Brookes, who is also the city attor-
ney for Bradenton Beach, is the lead counsel in the new
lawsuit, which was filed in circuit court Friday, July 9.
Also joining the fray is longtime Island activist and
environmentalist Joan Perry of Holmes Beach. Mana-
tee County filed its own legal action against the project
on July 8.
It's not the first time Island cities have tried to halt
the controversial project. The three Island cities, Mana-
tee County and ManaSota-88 filed a lawsuit in 2000
against the original development order approved by the
Bradenton City Council that called for 898 condomini-
ums. That lawsuit contends the development order is
not consistent with Bradenton's comprehensive plan.
On June 9, Bradenton approved a new Arvida site
plan calling for 686 condominium units in 13 buildings
on 416 acres that supposedly conforms to the City of
Bradenton comp plan, but even this site plan is rife with
inconsistencies, said Glenn Compton, executive direc-
tor of ManaSota-88.
PLEASE SEE PERICO, PAGE 3

*'r~ ~'
~..v..

Striking irony
Chris Hobbs was in the right place, right time, to
safely capture this striking moment on the beach and
to become the sixth weekly winner in The Islander's
summer photo contest, "Top Notch." Weekly winners
in the eight-week contest receive a coveted "More
Than a Mullet Wrapper" Islander T-shirt and $50
from the newspaper. The photo will now go into a
pool with other weekly winners eligible for the
contest grand-prize package, including $100 from
The Islander and a variety of gift certificates. Entry
info inside, page 8.

Also obtaining an election packet in Anna Maria
was political newcomer Joanne Mattick, one of the
owners of Tropical Treats and Eats on Gulf Drive. City
Hall staff said one man who did not identify himself
also obtained a packet.
Holmes Beach incumbent City Commissioner
Roger Lutz confirmed he will run for re-election, while
Commissioner Sandy Haas-Martens has picked up a
packet, as have Mayor Carol Whitmore, Pat Geyer,
former mayor and city commissioner for many years,
and former longtime Manatee County staff attorney
Chip Rice.
Holmes Beach city staff said several "unknown"
people have also picked up packets.
In Bradenton Beach, City Commissioner Lisa
Marie Phillips and scenic highway committee member
Bill Shearon have qualified. Commissioner Anna
O'Brien and former commissioner Herb Dolan have
obtained election packets. If O'Brien runs for re-elec-
tion, she will be opposed by Shearon in Ward IV in that
city, while Dolan would oppose Phillips in Ward II.
The qualifying period for all three Island cities runs
until noon Friday, July 16. Persons obtaining packets did
not have to indicate if they were running for a commission
seat or mayor, but must do so when forms are submitted.
Holmes Beach qualifies its own candidates while
those seeking office in Anna Maria and Bradenton
Beach must qualify at the Manatee County Supervisor
of Elections Office at 305 15th St. W. in Bradenton..
Candidates can always pick up a packet and qualify
for the ballot, then drop out at a later date. said an SOE
office spokesperson. "They would simply lose the fees
they paid to qualify," the spokesperson said.
Packets are still available at the respective city
halls or the SOE office.

Unknown candidates, some

familiar names in election game

PAGE 2 0 JULY 14, 2004 0 THE ISLANDER

Holmes Beach sandpile still load of you.know-what

By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
That pile of sand on Flotilla Drive in Holmes
Beach doesn't seem to be getting any smaller, and
according to Public Works Director Joe Duennes,
it's likely to be around a few more months. Fact is,
it could get even bigger.
That's because the city has approved another
contract with sandpile owner Energy Resources Inc.
of Missouri to dredge some areas of Bimini Pass that
are within the city limits. If a contract is reached,
Energy Resources would stockpile sand from that
dredging operation at the same Flotilla Drive loca-
tion.
"I think that pile might be around for a few more
months, at least," Duennes noted.
Energy Resources started the sandpile several
months ago when it began dredging the city canals,
but some nearby residents consider the sandpile both
an eyesore and a hazard issue (The Islander, April
28).
Following citizen complaints that the sandpile
posed a threat to children and consequently a liabil-
ity issue for the city, Mayor Carol Whitmore prom-
ised to have the sand removed as quickly as possible,
but Energy Resources has refused to move the pile

to the county landfill, opting instead to sell off
chunks of sand on a piecemeal basis.
A plan to use that sand on the Palma Sola Cause-

New student registration begins at AME

New student registration begins at Anna
Maria Elementary School July 19.
Students entering a Florida school for the first
time must present the following documentation:
Certified birth certificate.
Proof of a physical examination dated
within the past year.
Social security number.
Proof of residency.
Proof of immunization.

Elementary school students are required to
have the DTP/DTaP/DT, Polio, MMR/Measles,
Hepatitis B and Varicella vaccinations prior to
enrollment.
AME is located at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes
Beach. The AME open house for new and return-
ing students is scheduled for Aug. 5 and classes
resume Aug. 9.
For more information, contact the school ad-
ministrative office at 708-5525.

1

I

I-
A,
A

Continental
Bistro

THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL ...
Tournedos Henry IV, twin tenderloins
of filet mignon, pan-seared, topped
with artichoke hearts and Bearnaise
sauce and served with a glass of
signature Jerry Garcia cabernet, $21,

Sand gets
piled
higher,
deeper
This sandpile
along Flotilla
Drive in
Holmes Beach
appears to
have grown
the past two
months. The
tree, however,
is still dead.
-. Islander
Photo:
Rick Catlin

way for beach renourishment was washed away
when the Florida Department of Environmental Pro-
tection refused a permit for the project (The Is-
lander, May 26). Following that effort, Energy Re-
sources declined to give the sand to the Manatee
County Parks and Recreation Department, opting
instead to try to find qualified buyers.
The city's contract with Energy Resources al-
lows the company considerable time to either sell the
sand or move it to the county landfill, but the com-
pany apparently has had difficulty finding buyers.
Whitmore said the city could force the company
to remove the sand, but "probably won't" at this time
because of the new dredging the company will per-
form. Energy Resources is also dredging Lake
LaVista in Anna Maria and sand from that project
could also be stored at the Holmes Beach location.
Efforts to reach company spokesperson Paul
Reinhardt of Energy Resources for comment were
unsuccessful.

VI

I

Perico Island battle continues
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

"The facts haven't changed," said Compton.
"High-rise development is inappropriate for Perico Is-
land" and such a project would cause delays in hurri-
cane evacuation, is incompatible with building types of
surrounding neighborhoods, degrades scenic vistas and
has significant natural resource impacts.
The City of Bradenton's comprehensive plan calls
for new projects to have a "workable evacuation plan
geared toward maintaining present evacuation times."
Arvida's own planners have acknowledged their devel-
opment would add seven minutes to the evacuation
time for Anna Maria Island, noted Compton.
The Future Land Use Element of the Bradenton
comp plan states that "hurricane evacuation and traf-
fic impacts on State Road 64 shall be considered as an
issue in review of applications for development ap-
proval." ,
What review? said Compton, who added that State
Road 64 is already at an F level of service, according
to the Florida Department of Transportation, represent-
ing the "worst possible level of traffic congestion."
The argument by Arvida and City of Bradenton
planners that "it appears that up to 70 percent of any
given project's units are vacant between May and Oc-
tober, the prime hurricane season, is "ridiculous," he
argued.
Arvida has "no plans to require deed restrictions
prohibiting residents from occupying their units during
hurricane season. Property owners will live in their
condos whenever they want, including hurricane sea-
son. It's an assumption being made by the applicant
that could cost lives," Compton said.
While it is true that the Bradenton comp plan states
that a proposed development will not further degrade
the level of service of the roadway system, S.R. 64 is
already at level F. Therefore, the level of service tech-
nically can't get any lower, but this is still inconsistent
with the comp plan, Compton claims.
Compton also said the proposed development is
incompatible with the Manatee County Comprehensive
Plan for coastal high-hazard areas and environmentally
sensitive areas. Bradenton's own comp plan requires
the city to coordinate land use and development along
city/county fringe areas with "the land use and devel-
opment policies of other jurisdictions."
This, said Compton, has not been done.
Further, he observed, Bradenton's comp plan says
that coastal areas will be developed in a way which
"preserves natural systems, provides for public access
and minimizes storm and flood hazards to population
and property, including public facilities." The Arvida
site plan does not conform to this section of the comp
plan, he contended.
Compton also claimed that the Traffic Study Re-
view for the project was not available to the public in
a reasonable amount of time prior to the June 9 vote,
and the public has been unable to provide written com-
ments on the study.
ManaSota-88 also objected to the project on sev-
eral environmental and scenic-vista issues.
But the 686-unit condominium project may be just

the tip of Arvida's iceberg.
In its original proposal in 2000 to Bradenton,
Arvida also proposed a single-family residential de-
velopment on an additional 400 acres on Perico Is-
land owned by the Manatee Fruit Co. At four units
per acre, this would have added 1,600 homes to the
area, and approximately 3,700 more people, in addi-
tion to those living at the condominium project.
Arvida also wanted to build some retail-commercial
space along S.R. 64.
The single-family home development, however,
was quietly withdrawn by Arvida from its 2000 site
plan, as was a plan for retail-commercial space along
S.R. 64 near the project entrance.
Perico Island resident Ken Crayton, one of the
leading opponents of the Arvida project, believes that
if the condo project is eventually built, it's only a mat-
ter of time before plans for single-family homes on
Perico Island are submitted.
"Would the Bradenton City Council approve such
an additional development? You bet if it would mean
more dollars in the city coffers. Do they care about traf-
fic problems on Manatee Avenue and the Palma Sola
Causeway? By approving the initial Arvida high-rise
development, that answer has to be a resounding no,"
said Crayton.
Arvida, however, was not in a condescending
mood when informed of the lawsuit.
"Arvida is not surprised by ManaSota-88's frivo-
lous lawsuit against Perico," said Scott Carpenter of
Clarke Advertising and Public Relations, Arvida's PR
firm in Sarasota.
ManaSota-88, he said, "has continued to raise fac-
tually flawed objections to the project, namely that the
project will impede hurricane evacuation residents of
Anna Maria Island and will cause substantial harm to
Perico Island and its surrounding habitat."
That's not so, said Carpenter. "Environmental
harm is not an issue with this project." In addition, he
said, the hurricane evacuation and impact argument is
simply an emotional issue, and "is not an issue with this
project." Evacuation of Arvida's residents on Perico
would only add seven minutes to the previously esti-
mated six-hour evacuation time of the entire Island.
The real issue is height, he said, and Arvida's
project conforms to the legal requirements of the
Bradenton comprehensive plan. Arvida is in no mood
to compromise or halt the project.
"We have the evidence and experts to support our
plan," Carpenter noted, and Arvida "will fully defend
its right to develop Perico Island as granted by its land
owners, the Preston Family, and as approved by the
City of Bradenton," he concluded.
While Carpenter may have sounded a defiant
Arvida tone,.one thing seems certain about the project.
Both Arvida and ManaSota-88 officials have previ-
ously agreed that construction will only begin when all
the lawsuits against the project are settled.
Case in point: Several years ago, a Vero Beach
developer proceeded to build a $10 million apartment
complex, despite a pending lawsuit by an adjoining
property owner. When the property owner won the
case, the judge ordered the entire complex torn down,
and the developers were stuck with the $10 million
cost.

THE ISLANDER U JULY 14, 2004 U PAGE 3
And the really big winners are ...
Four Island charities were recipients of funds
resulting from the June 5-6 Islandwide Blood Drive
at a barbecue dinner courtesy of the event's spon-
sors. The cash donation is provided by an anony-
mous donor at $100 per pint of blood donated.
Shown here, left to right, with their proceeds, are
Rhoda Paloski of the West Manatee Fire & Rescue
Volunteers, $3,750; Dick and Liz Cline of the Anna
Maria Island Privateers, $3,200; back row, Gail and
Ed Straight of Wildlife Inc., $10,500; front center,
Missy Parker of sponsor A Pine Avenue Salon,
Sandee Pruett of the Anna Maria Island Community
Center, $4,550; and sponsor Ilona Kenrick of
Marina Pointe Realty. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy

this weekend
The annual Beach Olympics at the Sandbar
restaurant in Anna Maria will begin at noon
Sunday, July 18.
Sign-in is at 11 a.m. at the restaurant, 100
Spring Ave., for the six-person teams, three
women and three men plus two alternates. Cost
is $125 per team. Proceeds go to the ROCK
program, Reaching Out to a Cancer Kids.
Events will include volleyball, Frisbee
throw, keg roll, tray race and waiter race. De-
tails may be obtained by calling 778-1696.

PAGE 4 M JULY 14, 2004 M THE ISLANDER

Holmes Beach planners recommend short-term rentals

By Diana Bogan
Islander Reporter
The Holmes Beach Planning Commission unani-
mously agreed to recommend to the city commission
an ordinance limiting to a minimum of seven days
short-term leases in the city's residential zoning dis-
tricts.
At their meeting July 7, planning commissioners
deemed a proposed ordinance prohibiting rentals of
less than seven days in the R- 1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 zon-
ing districts to be in compliance with the city's land
development code.
Planning Commissioner John Monetti also noted
that the proposed ordinance attempts to clarify the defi-
nition of hotel/motel by stating what types of establish-
ments fall into the category.
The proposed ordinance defines hotel/motels to
include establishments which provide residential living
accommodations on a more or less permanent basis,
such as an apartment hotel. A hotel or motel also in-
cludes a dwelling unit that is leased, subleased or

Ethics

complaints: One

round to Lohn
By Paul Roat
Ken Lohn has won a round in his fight with the
state ethic's committee, but the battle isn't quite over.
Lohn, who is the chair of the Bradenton Beach
Board of Adjustment, was taken to task by developer
Steve Noriega over comments allegedly made a year
ago regarding a project Noriega was building next to
Lohn's home on Bay Drive South. Noriega filed a civil
suit against Lohn, and also filed a complaint against
him with the Florida Commission on Ethics.
The complaint was broken into two elements:
That Lohn allegedly "violated [state law] by solic-
iting [Noriega's] agreement to modify proposed con-
struction with the understanding that [Lohn's] official
action as a member of the board of adjustment would
be influenced thereby," according to an assessment by
James H. Peterson III, advocate for the ethics commis-
sion with the Office of the Attorney General.
Peterson ruled that there "is no probable cause to be-
lieve [Lohn] violated [Florida law] by soliciting
[Noriega's] agreement to modify proposed construction."
The second element of the complaint, according to
Peterson, alleged that Lohn violated state law "by attempt-
ing to use his position [as chair of the board of adjustment]
for an advantage during negotiations with [Noriega] and/
or to improperly influence the board of adjustment."
Peterson found that after review the allegation was
"insufficient to support the conclusion that [Lohn] used
or attempted to use his position to gain an advantage
during his negotiations with [Noriega]." His report is
a recommendation to the commission, not a final order.
"The year-long investigation has concluded that
the allegations by Noriega were false," Lohn wrote in
a letter. "I certainly hope this exoneration gets as much
publicity as did Noriega's false allegations."
Peterson's report will be addressed by the eight-mem-
ber ethic's committee Sept. 2, according to Kate Starling
with the committee. She said Peterson's recommendation
will be presented to the committee, which will make a fi-
nal determination. "No order has been filed and no deci-
sion has been reached," Starling said.
The civil action between the two is still pending.

Privateers, fire volunteers

join for 'red hot sale'
The Anna Maria Island Privateers and the West
Manatee Fire & Rescue District Volunteers have
teamed up for what they promise will be a "red hot yard
sale" on July 31.
It will be at the Bradenton Beach firehouse, 201
Second St., Bradenton Beach, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. A fire
truck will be on display for children's enjoyment, and
"trinkets for Mom and useless items for Dad."
Proceeds will go into the Privateers fund to be dis-
tributed to youth organizations on the Island and else-
where, said Tim Thompson, Privateer liaison officer.
Details may be obtained at 747-4953.

rented, as a whole or in part, for a term of less than
seven days.
The proposed ordinance will be presented to the
city commission at a future work session.
Planning commissioners also received a packet
from the city's professional planner, Bill Brisson, out-
lining the committee's responsibility to update the land
development code, drafts of the zoning and future land-
use maps and a preliminary list of issues that may be
addressed in the LDC update.
The primary purpose of the update is to review all
LDC provisions for consistency with the city's compre-
hensive plan and for internal consistency within the
LDC and make recommendations to the city commis-
sion.
Brisson told the commissioners he would be work-
ing with them to better organize, format and clarify the
code and review each of the freestanding ordinances
for consistency with state and federal laws.
The start-up phase of the project, Brisson said, will
encompass organizing the work, identifying and cat-

egorizing the substantive issues and developing a pro-
totype format for the updated LDC.
The first task for Brisson and the planning commis-
sion will be a driving tour of the city to pinpoint ex-
amples of "problem" areas. The field trip will be sched-
uled prior to the commission's August meetings.
Brisson said he will also continue meeting with
city staff to gather perceptions of problem areas asso-
ciated with the LDC as well as provisions that are
working well.
At the July meeting, Brisson presented more than
50 issues already gathered from city staff and commis-
sioners for consideration in updating the LDC.
Based on meetings with staff and the tour of the
city, Brisson said he would prepare a summary docu-
ment outlining the major issues and problems to be
addressed. He also asked planning commissioners to
review the preliminary list and rank them in order of
importance.
The planning commission will meet with Brisson
again Aug. 5.

By Paul Roat
A tiny bubble of a property tax increase has been
approved by Bradenton Beach city commissioners,
with a unanimous vow to attempt to cut spending as
budget discussions continue this summer.
Commissioners approved a tentative property tax
rate of 2.5450 mills for fiscal year 2004-05, up from the
current levy of 2.5434. A mill is $1 for every $1,000
of assessed value of a property, less any exemptions.
For a piece of property valued at $525,000, and
taking advantage of the $25,000 homestead exemption,
the city tax bill on that home for next year would in-
crease 80 cents, from $1,272.50 compared to the cur-
rent $1,271.70.
Although the property tax increase is minuscule,
the value of assessable property in the city has risen
mightily almost $99 million in the last year.
In 2003-04, total assessed property value in
Bradenton Beach for tax purposes was established at
$336,446,984. For the next fiscal year, which begins
Oct. 1, the value is $434,981,500.
"This is a bare-bones budget," Mayor John
Chappie told commissioners July 14 during a budget
meeting. "Hopefully, we can trim some things and
lower the budget even further during our meetings in
the next month or so."
City officials have a state-established deadline to set
a tax rate by early August, which they did last week, and
can lower that rate but not increase it during public hear-
ings and final adoption of the budget in September.
The city budget is up slightly for next year com-
pared to the current year, about $113,000. The current

budget for Bradenton Beach is $2,628,004; proposed
for next year is a spending plan of $2,740,954.
Total property tax revenue as proposed for next
year's budget is less than half the total budget, with the
remainder of the funds coming from other fees, taxes
and other sources. The 2003-04 budget contains prop-
erty tax revenue of $1,073,811; the current budget de-
rives $836,028 from property taxes.
Of the various city departments, the public works
budget reflects the greatest change in the request for an
additional person within the streets and roads division
and the transfer of personnel into newly created facili-
ties management and stormwater departments.
Several departments administration, building -
actually lowered next years' budget figures due to staff-
ing changes.
The police department's budget for next year, as
always, has the highest budget at $812,048, due to hav-
ing the greatest number of employees 10 up from
the current $763,070. However, that figure is offset by
a Manatee County payment of $70,000 to the city for
Coquina Beach law enforcement patrol services.
In light of the "bare bones" budget, capital im-
provement projects in the city are modest for the up-
coming fiscal year, with most projects rolling over
from the current year into the next due to lack of atten-
tion. One new line item, though, is $25,000 for creation
of a mooring field near the city pier off Bridge Street.
Parks are getting a modest funding boost as well,
with $15,000 allocated to the Herb Dolan North Park.
The next budget work session will be held at city
hall at 4 p.m. July 21.

THE ISLANDER U JULY 14, 2004 U PAGE 5

Community Center great, but not in my back yard

By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
Seems like everyone says the Anna Maria Island
Community Center is great, except when it wants to
build in someone's back yard, or at least across the
street from their back yard.
Hal Badger of Hardin Avenue told city commis-
sioners at their July 8 workshop that he and a number
of other residents near the Center are concerned that the
Center plans to change its entrance from Magnolia
Avenue to Palm Avenue (The Islander, May 26) in its
major renovation project.
He said he has a petition circulating among affected
property owners concerned about the planned changes at
the Center, particularly relocation of the main entrance,
and a number of people have signed the petition. Badger
said no one from the Center has discussed these issues
with himself or other residents he contacted.
But when he offered a copy of the petition to com-
missioners, City Attorney Jim Dye said to hold on just

a minute.
"No development plan has been filed," said Dye,
"so I caution the commission that a lot of what you are
hearing is preliminary." The Center has to file a site
plan with the city before any major changes and that
must come before the commission. That decision, he
said, must be based solely on evidence given at that
meeting.
"So, I caution you about hearing this too early," he
advised commissioners. In addition, the city's site plan
procedures would require that a major redevelopment
project hold meetings with neighbors to discuss issues
prior to site-plan submission.
"Well, I wanted to read the petition," said Badger,
but Dye replied there is a formal process for that input.
"So, we'll stop right here," said Commission
Chairperson John Quam.
Quam also read a letter from AMICC Executive
Director Pierrette Kelly noting that the plans presented
in May were only preliminary. An architect has just

been retained, said Kelly, and he and the Center are
well aware of concerns of residents. Several public
meetings with Palm, Hardin and Magnolia residents
will be held for input on parking and other issues re-
lated to the renovations before any final plans are ready
for submission to the city.
But Badger still wondered if the Center could pro-
ceed with its plans without any input. It can't without
city commission approval in a public meeting, replied
Quam.
In a letter sent to the city June 26, Badger said not
one of the seven neighbors he has spoken with is in
favor of a Palm Avenue entrance for the Center. "The
Magnolia Avenue residents' problems will become
ours," he claimed.
"We all care about the Community Center," Bad-
ger added, but "it makes no sense to alleviate one
street's problem and put them on another."
As some Island city commissioners like to say,
anywhere but NIMBY.

Back to court, again, in Gulffront land fight

By Paul Roat
Bradenton Beach officials are appealing the appel-
late court decision ordering development of two du-
plexes on the beach in the city.
Bradenton Beach Attorney Greg Hootman filed a
motion to appeal the June 23 decision by the Florida
Second District Court of Appeal that ruled that two
duplexes should be built in the 1400 block of Gulf
Drive, across the street from the Bermuda Bay Club.
Hootman is asking the full five-member court of
judges to address the matter, stating that the three-
member panel's decision misapprehendedd the legal
significance of the trial court's first-tier de novo reso-
lution of disputed issues of fact, arrived at by the trial
court following accepted rules of statutory interpreta-
tion to determine legislative intent, regarding whether
the subject property satisfied the criteria for inclusion
within the 'Preservation' designation of the future land
use map," according to the appeal.
In short, Hootman said the appellate court "inad-
vertently applied the incorrect law in reaching its de-
cision."
This will be the third court action involving the

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property since its developers first appeared before the
city.
Co-developers for Island Inc. and Beach Develop-
ment Inc. appeared before the city in early 2000, seek-
ing approval to build the duplexes on the Gulf of
Mexico.
The city's planning and zoning board approved the
projects. City commissioners denied the request in
April 2000. The developers filed a lawsuit against the
city, citing that the denial was not made with "substan-
tial, competent evidence."
The crux of the issue was a land-use map adopted
by the city commission in 1989 that called for that part
of the beach to be preserved due to an unusual soil
composition. Developers brought forward expert wit-
nesses who said the beach there was no different than
the beaches up and down the Island and that the "con-
servation" designation was in error.
City commissioners disagreed, citing previous ero-
sion trends in that section of shoreline that had at one
point left only a few yards of sand between Gulf Drive
and the Gulf prior to a 1992-93 beach renourishment
project.

Developers took the matter to court and, in April
2003, Judge Charles Williams of the 12th Judicial Cir-
cuit Court ruled in favor of the city.
The matter was appealed by the developers and, in
a June 23, 2004, opinion, Court of Appeals Judge
James W. Whatley said in the majority ruling that the
lower court was in error.
"The trial court erred in finding that, based on the
evidence that was before the city commission at the
public hearing on the appellants' petition, the city's
denial of the appellants' petition was fairly debatable,"
Whatley wrote.
"The appellants presented expert testimony, in-
cluding from the city's own land planner, showing
that the designation of the appellants' property as
preservation was erroneous because the property did
not meet the definition of preservation. They also
presented evidence, and the trial court found that
Manatee County had taxed the property as R-3, i.e.,
residential property, and the mayor's son had been
issued a license to operate a sailboat rental business
on the property, which activity is not allowed on
preservation property."

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PAGE 6 E JULY 14, 2004 0 THE ISLANDER

0 inion

Strange but true
No one would dispute that there are bizarre goings
on around Anna Maria Island.
After all, it's all documented here.
We've had various strange and sundry lost-and-
found reports over the 11-plus years we've been in
existence, including lost dentures -lost due to a
swimmer's encounter with a tsunami (big wave), and
then thanks to a classified ad, the finder and the den-
ture loser were united for a happy ending.
We get bizarre questions on the "Island informa-
tion hotline" at the office, such as "What do you feed
a ferret?" or "How do you get married?"
We reported a bizaree incident of an Alabama man on
a charter fishing trip who was bitten on the arm by a "fly-
ing" barracuda. It leapt from the water, sailed across the
boat deck, slammed into the man's upper arm and took a
significant bite of flesh and muscle. Ouch.
There have also been a fair number of the more com-
mon dog and raccoon attacks. A few shark reports but very
few shark bites. And once there was an alligator on the
beach that brought news crews to the Island.
This week, the Gulf of Mexico water temperature
is higher than ever recorded by the Ruskin bureau of
the National Weather Service. At 90 degrees, it's a
scorcher, and the bay temp is reported to be 93 degrees
in some areas. While we've reported on global warm-
ing and the ocean's slow-but-certain rise, July's ex-
tremely hot weather is, well, extreme.
So here comes the Discovery Channel to Anna
Ivmia, filming a documentary on impalements, and no
s;h:!:ers here, we were involved in early research for
uhe project when in late 2002 we were contacted for
photos and information on an incident we reported in
March 1994.
It involved a man impaled by an 20-pound
Danforth anchor as he and friends embarked on a fish-
ing trip, just rounding the north end of the Island near
Bean Point and near the riptide that causes some
.,rious rough waters and strong currents.
When we got the call at the office, we squirmed. And
d:in reporter Mark Ratliff volunteered for the job, and he
, on the scene at the Anna Maria Island Community
r for a photo of the injured man as the transfer from
a lance to medical helicopter took place.
'. add to the odd circumstances, The Islander was
'lted by The Enquirer for a photo, and why not? They
p1u :shed it and gave the newspaper and Ratliff credit.
Stranger things will surely happen. Oh, keep this
number handy: 778-7978. Just in case you see some-
thing "bizarre."

Hats off
What is the Fourth of July without a parade? Hats
off to the organizers of the parade on Anna Maria Is-
land. May it continue as an even bigger Fourth of July
parade with bands, fire trucks and people of all walks
of life. How about our youth of today, the Boy and Girl
Scouts, ball teams and other community groups?
As a participant in the parade it was gratifying to
see the crowds along the entire parade route and their
cheers of encouragement. We, as Daughters of the
American Revolution, are proud of our heritage and of
our ancestors who fought for American independence.
Today we still proclaim those same principles of
love and pride in our country. If any woman, man or
child is interested I learning more about their Ameri-
can heritage, they may contact Manatee Chapter at 722-
8063.
Linda J. Farley, DAR Regent, Palmetto

Another time best
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and affec-
tion of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and en-
dure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better;
Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, a re-
deemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because
you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Last July the Fourth would have been a better day
had our parade not been during church services. The
afternoon would have been better, or Monday, which
was the designated holiday.
Robert B. Jones, Holmnes Beach

Pound foolish
I have addressed the following to the
City Commission:

Anna Maria

It is laudable that you strive for a bare-bones appro-
priation. But it is pound foolish to neglect needed re-
pairs and capital improvements.
Your proposed appropriation had an item for re-
placement of the public sidewalk in front of the Gulf
View properties from Palm Avenue to Maple Street.
The existing walk is both dangerous and disgraceful.
If anyone should fall on this crumbling sidewalk,
the only question will be how much the city will have
to pay.
Is your failure to make this necessary appropriation
another case like parking where a few adjoining land-
owners are opposed to all residents using public prop-
erty?
In the future I intend to vote no on taxes, beach
renourishment and all incumbents until we get commis-
sioners who represent all of the residents instead of just
a few property owners and miscellaneous squeaky
wheels.
You may consider this letter as having put you on
legal notice as to the deplorable and inexcusable ne-
glect of what is otherwise a beautiful and serene walk-
way.
John M. Kintler, Anna Maria City

Just Anna Maria
Anna Maria Islanders are terrific! Darlene Sievers,
who works at the Beach-Style Boutique, certainly is.
Last winter I purchased an item and when I re-
turned to Minnesota accidentally broke a part of it. I
called Darlene, who went to great lengths to find a re-
placement and mail it to me.
We will certainly return next year to Anna Maria
and the kind and caring folks there.
Gail Lappen, New Hope, Minn.

.' k 1k '** *>- -. i. .

THE ISLANDER 0 JULY 14, 2004 M PAGE 7

Rest of Perico story
To those residents who want to see the high-rises
on Perico Island, I would like to inform them that they
have heard only a very small portion of the story.
Arvida wants to purchase all the property that the
Manatee Fruit Co. has available on Perico Island.
Right now everyone is concentrating on the northwest
portion of that property, but that is not the end of the
story.
The northwest portion of Perico Island consists of
416 acres for the 13 high-rises. Nothing has been said
about the remaining property that Arvida will have
purchased from the Preston family. That remaining
land is approximately 300-400 acres.
In the first proposal by Arvida, they were going to
build out those 300-400 acres with additional homes.
If they were to build four housing units per acre, it
would mean an additional 1,200-1,600 homes on
Perico Island.
That would translate to an additional 1,800-2,200
cars that would be using Manatee Avenue (Route 64)
on a regular basis. That does not include the service
vehicles that would be required, such as UPS, mail
delivery, delivery trucks, trash pickups, fire trucks and
EMS, etc.
I don't believe that Arvida or the Bradenton City
Council will be able to say that only 70 percent of the
homeowners in that development would be winter
residents like they contend about the high-rise popu-
lation.
I also believe that Arvida will not let that land set
vacant. Now, it will take three to five years for such a
development to be started and probably another three
years for it to be built out completely.
Meanwhile there will be construction vehicles
along Manatee Avenue for the next 10 years (this in-
cludes traffic for the high-rise development). This
would be year-around for the next 10 years.
Would the city council approve such an additional

development? You can bet they would if it means more
dollars in the city coffers.
Do they care about traffic problems on Manatee
Avenue and the Palma Sola Causeway? By approving
the initial Arvida high-rise development, that answer
has to be a resounding "No."
I commend the Manatee County commissioners
and Manasota-88 in their efforts to stop the planned
high-rise development on Perico Island and recogniz-
ing that development is just the beginning.
With both developments, the increase in traffic
would be a disaster, not only for hurricane evacuation
but also on the weekends and during the week both
winter and summer.
Ken Crayton, Perico Island

Overcharged, underserved?
Regarding the Waste Management scheme to in-
troduce 64-gallon drum containers: I wonder how
much those monsters weigh empty, a gallon of water
is 7 pounds.
Why is the present contract being canceled a year
or two early? Perhaps WMI fears a competitive bidding
process. Who is going to pick up the material that
won't fit in the drum? Sofas, chairs, tables, construc-
tion debris from remodeling, the kitchen sink?
Successive city administrations have enabled WMI
to force an inequitable contract on Holmes Beach citi-
zens, a take-it-or-else approach.
Other service providers in this state and elsewhere
allow the customer to choose from a menu of options
one or two pickups a week, two per month, etc. Many
residents have their yards tended by professional land-
scapers and have no need for yard waste recycling but
are forced to pay for it.
Duplexes pay double, yet their yards are the same
size or smaller than single-family homes. Why doesn't
WMI provide recyclable (aluminum, class, paper, etc.)
collection service to condos and motels?

For too many years the elected officials of this little
town have permitted the largest garbage company in
the world to overcharge and underserve. It is a rip-off
that should not be allowed to continue.
I hope the citizens of Holmes Beach rise up in pro-
test of this pending scam.
Bruce S. Golding, Holmes Beach

Privateers grateful
The Anna Maria Island Privateers want to thank
each and every one of the 51 participants and all the
folks who stood on the parade route who waved flags,
applauded, cheered and showed your patriotism in our
annual Fourth of July parade.
A very special apology to SueLynn, mayor of the
City of Anna Maria, for the mix-up of transportation
and a very special thanks to the Sahib Shrine Model T's
for allowing us to capture and use their convertible.
An apology to all the local churches for the date
and time, but it truly has been a tradition with the Pri-
vateers for the past 30 years to celebrate our freedom
on the Fourth regardless of the day of the week. I prom-
ise we won't do it again until 2010.
A big thanks to the three cities on Anna Maria Is-
land for allowing us to parade through your towns and
also to the police for their assistance. Thanks to all the
media for announcing and supporting this event, espe-
cially The Islander. And thanks to Design Signs and
Cafe on the Beach for your specific support. My per-
sonal special thanks to the DeSoto Krewe for allowing
a lost pirate to board your ship.
If I have forgotten to thank or apologize to some-
one, please accept it with my greatest sincerity. I hope
that everyone had a great Fourth of July and that you
also stopped a moment to thank our veterans, our cur-
rent enlisted personnel, and our future defenders for our
freedoms that we enjoy today. See you at the Christmas
parade.
Tim Thompson, Privateers liaison officer

I Remm. Sbe.alsFREEBEERtomorrow!

110.

will be filming near
Rotten Ralph's
on Wednesday,
July 14!

Watch from our deck as
the crew re-enacts the I
"Freak Accident" that
occurred here several
years ago when a visit-
ing fisherman became
impaled in the head
by an anchor!

We mail The Islander weekly for a nominal $36 per year. It's the per-
fect way to stay in touch with what's happening on Anna Maria Island.
More than 1,400 happy, eager-for-Island-news paid subscribers are already :
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By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
There weren't many dry eyes
among the staff at Palma Sola Golf Club
on 75th Street West yesterday, July 13.
After 36 years as the only privately
owned public 18-hole championship golf
course in west Manatee County and the *.
closest public golf course for Islanders ;.
Palma Sola closed its doors and rolled up it V52
fairways July 13. Head pro Moe Baranek 1 %-
putted out on the 18th green shortly after 3. !<
p.m. as part of the last group on the last hol'
on the last day of golf at the venerable course
Staff and owners held a farewell dinner Tuesda)
evening, and there likely weren't many dry eyes
at the dinner either.
The course became the victim of the area's
rising property values. Two years ago, the owners
decided to sell the property for development and
soon the golf course will be replaced with single-
family homes.
For general manager Bob Skelton, who has been
at the course since May 1970, the last few months have
been difficult.
"It's like losing a part of your family," said Bob,
"because that's what we are here, family.
"We knew it was coming for a long time," he
added, "but it's still been tough because everyone has
been coming in here and saying how they are going to
miss us. I'll miss the players and the staff and the
course. The people who worked here made Palma Sola
a happy place. It was a family atmosphere here and I
will miss that and the regulars who came every week
and every winter."
Indeed. Some of the original staff are still at Palma
Sola.

45

,-~~ V & ,+2 *- .

V

4 0 ,, .. .'' ,:"

- t-., -

worked d at the lunch counter for moi''re
than 25 years, and replaced her mother, Louise, who
was the first person Bob hired in 1970. Wanda's daugh-
ter, Tammy, also worked at the counter.
Wanda used to organize an annual Easter egg hunt
on Easter Sunday for both kids and adults. Anyone
bringing in an egg to the lunch counter got a treat from
Wanda.
Golf course superintendent Dave Kaminsky came
to Palma Sola in 1968 directly from Manatee High
School. Starting as a laborer, he worked his way up to
superintendent. He recently left after 36 years to be-
come superintendent at The Links in east Manatee
County. Baranek is the relative newcomer, having ar-
rived here in 1997 from another area golf course.
When Skelton first came to Palma Sola, there was

p Sola closes

,h in around it but trees and a mobile home park on
thle east side of the course. Daily green fees were
lut $3. "We were definitely out in the country in
those days," he recalled.
Over the years, the surrounding land was devel-
..:ped and the course itself developed a number of
regular players who either lived nearby or on Anna
Maria Island, or arrived each winter. It was the
nearest public course for Island golfers, including
the Sunrise Golf Group, which played at Palma
Sola every other Sunday.
Now, the nearest public golf course is

That's the only 18-hole championship pub-
lic golf course left on the west side of the
county, noted Skelton.
"It's sad, but that's progress. Call it the
end of an era. It bothers me, but that's sup-
ply and demand. It's the nature of the business."
Pri ate or semi-private golf courses surrounded by
ngle-famnily homes are being marketed now and
j', v. here the money's at. Daily green fees in win-
r at those type courses, however, can cost the walk-
p golfer $100 or more, annual memberships can ex-
:ed $10,000 and the cheapest single-family home is
round $300,000, if that. The days of the privately
owned public golf course with reasonable greens fees
Manatee County are gone.
"This was a great course," observed Skelton. "It's
ways been what I call 'user friendly' and not expen-
ve at all. Maybe that's why so many people came
ere. I still say our finishing hole was as good an 18th
)le as any around."
The course also attracted many notable people,
probably because they could walk up and play just
)out any time in the afternoon.
PLEASE SEE GOLF, NEXT PAGE

'Top Notch' photo contest in week 6

If you've got a great snapshot, we've got a contest
you could win.
The Islander photo contest features a winner each
week on the cover of The Islander through July 28.
The grand prize winner, which is chosen from the
eight weekly winners, includes $100 from the newspa-
per, a gift certificate from Mr. Roberts Resortwear, and
other gift certificates.
Weekly winners receive $50 and a "More-than-a-
mullet-wrapper" T-shirt from the Islander.
The weekly deadline is noon Friday throughout the
contest with the next deadline July 16.
Judging begins by a selection of pictures that may
include abstract photos, still life pictures, landscapes
and scenics, candid unposed snapshots, action, holi-
days, humor and animal pictures. Nothing is over-
looked, including great kid pics, sentimental moments
and moments of personal triumph.

Send or deliver your favorites (no limits) weekly
to Top Notch Contest Editor, The Islander, 5404 Ma-
rina Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217.
Digital contest entries in the original JPG format may
be sent to topnotch@islander.org or on CD. No retouch-
ing, enhancements or manipulation is allowed.
Complete rules and entry forms for the contest are
published below. Please attach a photo contest label to
each photo or CD you submit. E-mail entrants must
submit the label information in the e-mail, one photo
attachment per e-mail.
Photos without entry information will be disquali-
fied. Additional photo labels are available at the news-
paper office or they may be copied.

Another winner
Peggy Nash of Anna Maria took this July 1972
prize-winner of a Great Egret with her chicks.

Islander photo contest rules
1) The Islander Newspaper's Top Notch Photo Con-
test is strictly for amateur photographers. Amateur photogra-
phers are those who derive less than 5 percent of their income
from photography.
2) Black-and-white and color photographs taken after Jan.
1, 2003, are eligible. This allows for extended eligibility. Pho-
tos previously published (in any format/media) or entered in
any Islander or other competitions are not eligible.
3) Photographs may be taken with any make of camera.
No retouching or other alteration (except cropping) is permit-
ted of negatives, prints or electronic photo files; no compos-

ite pictures or multiple printing will be accepted. Digital photos
may be submitted in their original JPG file format (via e-mail or
disk) or a printed photograph. Slide (transparency) photos are not
accepted.
4) Entrant's name, address and phone number must be writ-
ten clearly, in ink, on the contest label and affixed to the back of
each print, or listed similarly in the e-mail message along with the
digital photo attachment. One e-mail per photo submission. Mail
entries to The Islander Top Notch Photo Contest, 5404 Marina
Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217. E-mail digital entries to
topnotch @ islander.org.
5) Entrants by their entry agree that The Islandermay publish
their pictures for local promotion. Entrants must be able to furnish

the original negative or original digital image if requested by the
contest editor. All photos submitted become the property of The
Islander. Photos will not be returned. The Islander and con-
test sponsors assume no responsibility for negatives, diskettes,
CDs or photo prints.
Entrant must know the name and address of any recogniz-
able persons appearing in the picture and those must be en-
closed/attached with the entry.
6) Employees of The Islander and their immediate family
members are not eligible to enter the contest.
7) Any taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the
winners. Any cash prize won by a minor will be awarded to a
parent or guardian. Prize rights are not transferable.

NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
PHONE
DATE PHOTO WAS TAKEN:
LOCATION PHOTO WAS TAKEN:

I have read the contest rules and affirm that this en-
try is in compliance with them.
SIGNATURE OF ENTRANT:

I- I II I I

NAME

ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
PHONE
DATE PHOTO WAS TAKEN:
LOCATION PHOTO WAS TAKEN:

I have read the contest rules and affirm that this en-
try is in compliance with them.
SIGNATURE OF ENTRANT:

NAME

ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
PHONE
DATE PHOTO WAS TAKEN:
LOCATION PHOTO WAS TAKEN:

I have read the contest rules and affirm that this en-
try is in compliance with them.
SIGNATURE OF ENTRANT:

THE ISLANDER U JULY 14, 2004 U PAGE 9

GOLF. CONTINUED FROM- PAGE S
Among the notables ,as legendarN Alabama foot-
ball coach Paul "Bear" Br\ ant. v.ho %as in Bradenton
on a recruiting isiit in the 1970s and just \%anted a quiet
place to pla\. "I kne \\ ho he wj.a but .e all left him
alone. He wasn't here to be recognized, but to pli.\
golf." said Bob.
Other famous people ,ho haie played Palma SolI
include former Vice President Spiro Agnew. Heismjan
Troph\ winners Chn. \Venke and Johnn. Lulack. Na-
tional Football League Hall-of-Fame member Otto Gra-
h.am. baseball players Bill Nlazeroki. Warren Spahn and
Mann\ Sanguillen. and tennis player NMark Phillapousa
The notables are all gone no\%. as is Palma Sola
Golf Club
"'I'm goine to mn this place." repeated Skelton.
So \ ill Isl.inders.

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Social notes are welcome ...
Your news about social events, anniversaries, weddings,
births and "interesting Islanders" is always welcome at
The Islander. Call 778-7978 to learn how to be included in
"the best news on Anna Maria Island."

Flinn-Klozar wed
Kathleen Flinn and Michael Klozar were married
on the beach at sunset on July 4, 2004, at the
Beach House Restaurant, followed by a reception
there. The bride, daughter of Irene Flinn of
Holmes Beach, is a 1985 graduate of Manatee
High School and of Columbia University in 1989,
worked for Microsoft in Seattle and London, and
graduated this year from Cordon Bleu culinary
school in Paris. The bridegroom also worked for
Microsoft. They will live in Seattle.

Double anniversary
Jim and Ann Steenstra and Ballard and Doris
Spencer were feted for their joint 50th wedding
anniversaries at a picnic at Bayfront Park, Anna
Maria. Both couples first came here in the 1950s.
Their golden wedding anniversaries fall in the spring
and fall of 2004.

Women's Beach Retreat
coming this weekend
A 24-hour Beach Retreat for Women is scheduled
Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18, at the Tortuga Inn
Beach Resort, 1325 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach.
It is organized by-clinical social worker Jane
Pavich of Bradenton to "give women a chance to get
away from everyday pressures and reconnect with
themselves, rethink how things are going in their lives,
or just provide some down time." It is open to women
18 and older.
It will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and go to 10 a.m.
Sunday. Pavich said that included will be a full body
massage for each woman and a sunset sailing cruise.
The $225 fee also includes private room and breakfast.
Details are available at 792-0802.

Another renter workshop
on Island Tuesday
Because the first workshop was so well received
and because of the increase in home mortgage rates, a
second renters' workshop is being offered on the Island
Tuesday, July 20.
It will be at the fire station at 6001 Marina Drive,
Holmes Beach, at 6:30 p.m., said sponsors Marilyn
Despirito of Mortgage Connection and Ursula Stemm
of the Gulfstream ReMax Island office.
The workshop, open free to the public, is designed
to pre-qualify buyers, they said. They advise those in-
terested in attending to call them to reserve a seat at
778-7777 or 739-9300.

Obituaries

Lucille Wayman Elliott
Lucille Wayman Elliott, 82, of Longboat Key,
Holmes Beach and Bradenton, died June 13.
Born in Michigan, Ms. Elliott came to Manatee
County in the 1970s.
There were no local services.
She is survived by son Jim; daughter Cyndi of
Washington; four grandchildren; and five great-grand-
children.

Robert 'Popeye' Lewis
Robert "Popeye" Lewis, 76, of Cortez, died July 7.
Born in Cortez, Mr. Lewis was a lifelong commer-
cial fisherman. He served in the Merchant Marine.
"He was a good one," said "Blue" Fulford of
Popeye, a good friend. He was Cortez."
Memorial services were July 11. Private burial will
be held at sea.
He is survived by daughters Susan Hollifield and
Barbara Ross, both of Bradenton; sisters Juanita
Codgen of Cocoa Beach and Martha Tidwell of Merritt
Island; brothers Wilbur of Cross City and Donald of
Little Rock, Ark.; three grandchildren; and four great-
grandchildren.

Ne

I

I

'Best news' home delivery improvements
Islanders in search of The Islander in their drive- 778-7978, or e-mail directly to
way may have had a week or two of disappointments, homedelivery @ islander.org.
largely due to a staff change, a change in the weather, Your complete address, including the city, will
and a change in the computer system. be appreciated for either a startup of service, can-
The new Islander home delivery "special- cellation, or vacation service interruption.
ists" are in the process of revising their home While free home delivery is not guaranteed,
delivery requests and The Islander asks that any- The Islander's delivery specialists will make every
one requesting free home delivery on Anna attempt to comply with all requests for service.
Maria Island, Flamingo Cay, Perico Island or in It's "the best news" done your way and, of
the village of Cortez, contact the office at (941) course, as long as your address is local, it's free!

Rift growing in Anna Maria

between mayor, commissioner

THE ISLANDER M JULY 14, 2004 0 PAGE 11

778-4751

By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
The growing division between Anna Maria Mayor
SueLynn and City Commissioner Linda Cramer over
what is administrative and legislative in the city's busi-
ness came to the surface at the commission's July 8
workshop.
The first spat took place during discussion of a roof
estimate for city hall that the commission had previ-
ously asked the mayor to obtain.
SueLynn presented an estimate from Sutter Roof-
ing for $56,000 that calls for cement tiles, the best pos-
sible surface. Using shingles would reduce the price by
about $10,000, the mayor said, while a metal roof
would fall somewhere in between, according to the
roofer.
Cramer, however, wanted another estimate and
asked to talk to city hall renovations architect Tom
O'Brien about specifics of a new roof and trusses, in-
cluding costs. She had submitted a number of questions
to the mayor about a new roof, she said, and wasn't
getting satisfactory answers.
The mayor responded that contractor Southern
Cross and O'Brien have already done more than what
they were hired for. "We can't keep asking for more,"
she said. "I've done what you asked, and now you want
another estimate." Cramer, she hinted, keeps changing
the rules.
Cramer, however, said there is a communication
problem. "I'm asking valid questions," she said, but the
mayor and Public Works Director George McKay
aren't giving valid answers.
Commissioner Carol Ann Magill intervened to ask
the mayor why she didn't tell the roofing contractor the
city only had so much money for a new roof.
"You asked for an estimate," replied the mayor.
"You get what you pay for." It's up to the commission
to decide if it wants a new roof and how much to spend.
But she cautioned there isn't a whole lot of money left
in this year's budget for a roof.
Enough, said Commissioner Dale Woodland.
Thirty minutes have been spent on this issue and
Cramer needs to get with the mayor and get her ques-
tions answered "for the sake of my sanity."
"All I was asking for were options" on costs for
trusses, shingles and other items, replied Cramer.
SueLynn said she would get proper estimates on
the cost of a metal roof and a shingled roof and bring
those to a future commission meeting.
Don't worry, said Cramer, "I'll get my own esti-
mate."
"With all due respect," noted Commissioner Duke
Miller, "you've asked for a ballpark estimate and now
you are upset." He suggested Cramer meet with the
mayor so "we can get on with it."
"I'll get my own answers," Cramer responded.
Quam said he would schedule a special commis-
sion meeting on a new roof as soon as the new esti-
mates were available.
But that wasn't the end of the "spat."
SueLynn and Cramer then had a "lively" discus-
sion on interpretation of the new charter on what com-
missioners are allowed to do and not do regarding city
business.
Cramer admitted she was the person who called
Bringman Roofing several weeks ago and that call re-
sulted in the mayor issuing a statement on commission-
ers interfering with city administrative business.
While she agreed that she should go through the
mayor before contacting staff such as the city attorney

and engineer directly, she said that in her opinion,
"there's nothing in.the charter that prohibits a commis-
sioner from closely scrutinizing city government. I was
told it's our job. It concerns me if we can't ask ques-
tions. We can't make decisions with taxpayer's
money" without asking questions of staff, she claimed.
"I want to be able to ask questions throughout the en-
tire process. We have a right to ask questions."
But Woodland, Quam and Miller had some reser-
vations.
Quam noted the new charter gives commissioners
an "open door" to talk to the mayor. Miller said the new
charter calls for commissioners to set policy and the
mayor to implement policy. "We can always go to the
mayor with questions," he said, or ask the mayor for
permission to speak to staff. Bypassing the mayor just
creates confusion. It's like "Who's on first?" he sug-
gested.
Cramer disagreed. She's been "frustrated" about
not being able to get information and she maintained
that "we have a right to contact people about city busi-
ness."
The mayor retorted that at times she believes she's
being "micro-managed." The commission needs to
decide what's legislative and administrative, and leave
.the "day-to-day administration of the city" to the
mayor.
Commissioners can come to her anytime and talk
about issues or ask questions, she said.
In other workshop business, commissioners agreed
to have City Attorney Jim Dye prepare an ordinance
that would prohibit or severely restrict the use of pile-
drivers to install foundations. Woodland asked that
local contractors come to the first hearing on such an
ordinance to give input.

Paving dispute
Commissioners also heard the latest on the Oak/
Tarpon Avenues paving fiasco, with Steve Ayers of
contractor APAC blaming McKay and Tom Wilcox of
Baskerville-Donovan Inc., the city's engineering firm,
and Wilcox pointing the finger at Ayers and APAC.
After nearly an hour of discussion on who is to
blame, Miller got Ayers to admit that his company was
concerned about the lack of a prime coat of asphalt
before the start, but proceeded with the job. Ayers
claimed both Wilcox and McKay said the city couldn't
afford a prime coat when he asked about installing one.
That's an essential procedure for a solid road, he said.
"In our opinion, the road engineering was designed
incorrectly," Ayers contended.
"So why go ahead if you knew it was going to be
bad?" asked Miller. "You signed a warrant to do the
work," he added. Guilty as charged, replied Ayers.
Ayers was also surprised to learn that the contract
he signed with the city for the paving job calls for a
three-year guarantee, not one year as he told commis-
sioners.
Enough, said Quam. Either the job needs to be
fixed to everyone's satisfaction or the city needs to
declare that APAC has abandoned the project. The
compromise solution would cost the city an additional
$9,000 above the $33,000 contract price. Total cost of
the added repairs would be about $13,500 with APAC
kicking in $4,500. Wilcox said BDI would do about
$10,000 worth of engineering at no charge to the city
as its share.
Quam moved payment to APAC, including the
additional cost, to the July 22 regular meeting for a
vote.

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Islander helped save wounded
soldiers in WWII by air
Richard "Dick" Hennessey of Anna Maria remem-
bers the day he was drafted into the U.S. Army in
World War II in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio.
"I was drafted at 3 p.m. on Aug. 23, 1942, and sent
to Ft. Thomas in Kentucky that afternoon. The next
morning at 5:30 a.m., I was woken up for K.P. (kitchen
police) duty. I didn't even know what that was and I
didn't even have a uniform."
The Army quickly straightened him out.
Surprisingly, when he asked to be assigned to the
medical corps, the Army honored his request and sent
him to train as a medic.
After basic training, he volunteered for Air Evacu-
ation School, which was a new concept in treating
wounded.
"We were to load wounded soldiers in a combat
zone onto a C-47 and fly them back to a hospital. We
were to treat the wounded on the planes while return-
ing to base," said Dick.
He requested assignment to a combat group and
eventually got his wish. Dick was assigned to the 436th
Troop Carrier Group, 82nd Troop Carrier Squadron.
He went through the School of Aviation Medicine in
Texas, and was then assigned to a base in North Caro-
lina, where he took his first flight in a glider.
The 436th was deployed to England in December
1943 and Dick got to cross the Atlantic on the Queen
Mary, which had been converted to a troop carrier for
the war.
On June 5, 1944, he and other air evac medics were
ordered into "battle dress" in preparation for the D-Day
landings the next day.
Medics were assigned to each C-47 and glider car-
rying paratroopers for the invasion. The idea was that
if a soldier or a member of the air crew was wounded
by flak during the flight, the medic could treat them im-
mediately and possibly save a life.
Dick remembers that he didn't get an aircraft as-
signment, but was ordered to remain behind as ground
support. He also remembers that the squadron leader
didn't make his flight because of "cerebral vascular
spasm," another term for someone losing their nerve.
Ten days later, Dick and the 82nd were shipped off
to Italy by way of Marrakesh in Africa.

U.S. Army medic Dick Hennessey in the doorway of a
C-47 transport plane prior to a medical evacuation
mission to the front lines in Europe during World
War II.

During his stay in Italy, Dick visited Vatican City
and got an audience with the pope. "I still cherish his
blessing, and being Irish to boot, I figure there's a spe-
cial place for me up yonder."
But Italy wasn't all sight-seeing and visiting the
beaches. The group participated in Operation Anvil, the
invasion of southern France on Aug. 15, 1944.
Dick and other medics began air evacuation flights
to the invasion forces, bringing in supplies and carry-
ing out wounded. He saw plenty of broken bodies and
seriously wounded men during this time.
The group returned to England in late August and
participated in a number of evacuation trips to Belgium
and Luxembourg. Then came Operation Market-Gar-
den in September 1944 and the group lost a number of
medics on the gliders that crashed on Dutch soil.
"We lost a lot of men and planes. The glider mis-
sions were a disaster," remembered Dick.
Two weeks later in London, Dick saw first-hand a
German V-2 rocket (buzz bomb) when one flew over-
head about two blocks away and exploded.
Dick and other medics went on air evacuation mis-
sions to Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge,
weather permitting, and the 82nd was transferred to
France near the front lines in February 1945.
By this time, the Germans had introduced the ME-
262 jet fighter plane and the Allies were offering a re-
ward to any German pilot who would land one at an
Allied airbase and surrender his plane. One day while
on duty at the airfield where the squadron was sta-
tioned, an ME-262 landed. Dick was the only person
on duty at the field that day.
"The German pilot looked at me and I looked at

him. I didn't speak German and he didn't speak En-
glish, but I motioned for him to stay by the plane and
went to find an officer. I was probably one of the first
Americans to see an ME-262 up close."
The Germans surrendered in early May, but air evacu-
ations continued from the front lines and included prison-
ers of war and those who had survived the Nazi concen-
tration camps. The condition of the camp survivors is one
memory Dick has carried for nearly 60 years.
Eventually, the 82nd was ordered back to the
United States where it was to train for the invasion of
Japan.
Back in Dayton on leave, Dick got the news that
the atom bomb had been dropped on Japan. There
would be no more invasions, no more air evac, no more
wounded and dying men. He reported back to his unit
in Missouri and was soon discharged from the Army.
"After all I had seen, it was good to go home,"
admitted Dick.
As a medic, he saw his share of "blood and gore,
the broken and decapitated bodies, the plane and glider
crashes, the broken cities and the looks of hungry chil-
dren. But you can see that in the movies and newsreels,
not through my eyes," he added.
Dick returned to Dayton then headed to California
to become an actor. When that didn't work out, he re-
turned to Dayton and worked in a bank for 35 years. He
retired to Anna Maria in 1982.
The war was an adventurous and dangerous time
for a young man of 21 years, he said, but it was still
war.
"War is hell," Dick concluded, "but I'm glad that
I served."

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Island police reports
Anna Maria City
July 4, 300 block of Gulf Boulevard on the beach,
battery. According to the report, a man was punched in
the nose after allegedly throwing sand on another man
at the beach. The victim's nose was bleeding but not
broken, according to the report, and the suspect left the
scene before deputies arrived.
July 4, 300 block of North Bay Boulevard, domes-
tic battery. A deputy reportedly gave a woman a do-
mestic violence packet after she approached his vehicle
claiming her boyfriend had been abusive.
July 4, 100 block of Willow Avenue, lost/recovered
child. A deputy was flagged down in reference to a lost 9-
year-old. The child was at a large family gathering and
drifted away from the backyard party. Approximately 15
minutes later, employees at the Sandbar restaurant notified
the Anna Maria Sheriffs office substation of a found
child, who turned out to be the lost child.

Bradenton Beach
July 2, 2300 Gulf Drive S., beach parking, bur-
glary. According to the report, a credit card and cash
were stolen from a car.
July 3, 100 block of Third Street South, domestic
disturbance. Officers were called after an argument
between the complainant and his girlfriend's son be-
came heated. The son was asked to leave the residence
and officers stood by until a friend came to pick him up.
July 4, 900 block of Gulf Drive South, theft. A
woman reported her keys stolen after she left them on
the beach while she went swimming.
July 4, 500 block of Gulf Drive South, theft. A
woman reported that she set up her beach umbrella
prior to taking a walk and when she returned more than
an hour later her umbrella and other items were gone.
July 6, 2307 Gulf Drive N., Sand Pebble Beach
Resort, Baker Act. A woman was transported to a treat-
ment facility under the Baker Act after threatening to
harm herself and telling officers the ghosts in her mo-

By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies Sal
Magro and Gary Sellito of the MCSO Anna Maria
sub-station were recently honored for their help in
finding a 5-year-old child who wandered away from
his mother while on the beach in Anna Maria.
The boy's mother, Becky Cosgrove of
Bradenton, presented some homemade cookies to the
deputies, who were on duty when the mother reported
that the boy was missing.
"The system worked perfectly," said Sgt. John
Kenney, head of the sub-station.
As soon as the mother reported the child missing,
said Kenney, "Sal and Gary immediately got a de-
scription of the boy and alerted Holmes Beach and
Bradenton Beach police and other MCSO units," he
said. The officers set up a missing-persons command
post, then one got on the ATV and went south, while
the other walked north along the beach.
After about 25 minutes, the youth was found near

tel room were using the radar unit in the patrol vehicle
to listen to her conversations.

Holmes Beach
July 2, 700 block of Manatee Avenue, battery. A
woman was arrested after she hit her boyfriend on the
head with a beer bottle for allegedly talking to another
girl. She was charged with aggravated battery, resist-
ing arrest with violence and obstruction by a disguised
person for giving officers a false name. The victim was
transported to Blake Medical Center for treatment for
his head injury.
July 4, 5901 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach Skate
Park, trespass. A 19-year-old was given a trespass
warrant after refusing to wear a helmet and protective
pads despite several warnings. The teen's park permit

the Martinique condominiums in Holmes Beach by a
Bradenton Beach police officer looking for the boy.
The youth had walked nearly two miles south on the
beach.
"Words cannot convey how thankful my family
and I are to both of you," said Cosgrove in a letter to
the deputies.
"Thank you for calling everyone in to aid in the
search effort. Fortunately, God has given us a sec-
ond chance and believe me, I will not forget this.
Thank you again and please let everyone know
what a wonderful and professional job they did,"
she concluded.
Magro and Sellito said they appreciated the letter,
but the home-baked cookies were even better.
"I think this incident speaks very highly of the
caliber of deputies we have in Anna Maria and the co-
operation that all three law enforcement agencies on
the Island exhibit. Thankfully, this story had a happy
ending, and I commend Gary and Sal for knowing
exactly what to do," said Kenney.

was expired.
July 7, 4500 block of Gulf Drive, drug equipment.
Carol Marcinowski, 43, and Daniel DeBoer, 31, both
of Holmes Beach, were arrested for possession of drug
paraphernalia. According to the report, officers re-
sponded to the Marcinowski residence for a domestic
disturbance report. During the investigation, officers
discovered a "bong" with marijuana residue on the
night stand in the couple's bedroom.
July 7, 6200 block of Holmes Boulevard, theft. A
woman reported her bicycle stolen.
July 8, 3007 Gulf Drive, Anchor Inn, burglary.
Several items were reportedly stolen from a truck and
the stereo was damaged during an attempt to pry it out
of the dashboard.

Our Board Certified Doctors:
Dr. Graciela R. Garton trained in Radiation
Onocology at Mayo Clinic and was a faculty mem-
ber at Mayo Medical School.
Dr. Stephen J. Patrice former chief resident at
Harvard Medical School with Masters in Public
Health from Harvard.
Dr. Larry N. Silverman former chief resident in
radiation oncology at the Medical College of
Virginia and winner of Roentgen Fellow Research
Award.
Dr. Sarah E. Hoffe- trained in radiation Oncology
at Duke University and Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center, New York City.

The celebrated manatee Snooty will observe
his 56th birthday Saturday, July 17, with a few
thousand of his close friends at Parker Aquarium.
The event is open to the public free 10 a.m.-2
p.m. in the Spanish Plaza of the South Florida Mu-
seum and Parker Manatee Aquarium, 201 10th St.
W., Bradenton.
Featured will be children's games and art, free
cookies and juice, a display of Snooty birthday
cards submitted for a card contest, John Storm's
"World of Reptiles" show, and booths from Mote
Marine Laboratory, Lowry Park Zoo, Jungle Gar-
dens and others.
In honor of the aquarium's best-known animal,
admission charges to the museum and aquarium will
be reduced all day to $7 for adults, $4 for children.

Snooty was born July 21, 1948, at the Mi-
ami Aquarium and Tackle Co., the first manatee
ever born in captivity. Named "Baby Shoots,"
he was brought to Bradenton for the 1949
DeSoto celebration and never left town. He has
charmed more than a million visitors of all ages
since then.
He was joined in 1998 by his first pool mate,
Newton, who suffered from health complica-
tions and died six months later. He's had other
pool mates, young manatees that needed a year
in rehabilitation with him before going home to
the wild. They include Mo, Palma Sola, DeSoto
Park and Salvador.
Details may be obtained by calling 746-
4131.

Upcoming:
"Alligators" at the Riverfront Theatre July 23-
25.
Safe-boating class at the Anna Maria Island
Power Squadron July 26.
"Art for Fun's Sake" children's program at the Is-
land Branch Library July 27.

ArtAiue aAJ + + 1e l
J +, 4 J~A j\_ V

From Anna Maria to Ellenton and points-inbetween, you're sure to find hunting for art, antiques and collectibles as much fun
as the discovery. There are so many places to go "antiquing" that you're certain to find the treasure you're looking for.

By Jim Hanson
Islander Correspondent
"It's 130, 140 degrees in Iraq, so I came here where
it's only in the 90s and caught a cold."
He's downright happy to have the cold as long as
it comes with Anna Maria Island, and it's the only
downside to his two-week R&R visit to his family on
the Island.
U.S. Army Pfc. Ed Elbert has been in the Iraqi
desert for six months and faces another six at least, so
he's making the most of his time here. His wife Mel-
issa and their two children are doing their very best to
make it totally memorable.
Melissa brought the children, 5 and 3, to the Island
during the winter to be near her parents, Marc and
Mary Deur of Holmes Beach. The folks also helped the
soldier spring a great surprise on their daughter.
Melissa knew he was due for a brief visit sometime
in July, but nobody but the Army knew just when. He
got word to the Deurs at the last minute, they met him
at the airport in Tampa and drove him home, unbe-
knownst to Melissa she was out running errands.
His 5-year-old daughter knew him instantly and
joyously, the 3-year-old son wasn't sure for a moment
and then shrieked and ran to him "and boy, what a re-
lief."
Their reception was nothing compared to
Melissa's. She came into the home unprepared and
took one look at her husband and screamed and wept
her welcome and overwhelmed Ed. He's still catching
his breath.
They met and married in Michigan, and he soon
went to Germany on Army assignment. Wife and kids
joined him at Schweinfurt and they lived there until
Iraq beckoned. Germany's where they all plan to be
when his Iraq tour ends, maybe in six months, more
likely more.
He is at a forward operating base (FOB in Army
lingo) at Tikrit in a support platoon for infantrymen -
hauling ammunition, water, food and all the other ne-
cessities. He drives a truck in convoys about half of his
duty time, and mans a machine gun on the truck the
other half.
The convoys are frequently attacked by dissident
Iraquis and foreign volunteers, usually with explosive
devices that are becoming more sophisticated. They are
triggered remotely by such means as cell phones, he
said, and "it's really frustrating. When you're pulling

U.S. Army Pfc. Ed Elbert is spending his leave on the Island with his family:
son Jared.

people out of a blown-up vehicle there's no identifica-
tion of a target, no knowing if you'll be taking more fire
or where you can shoot."
He also pulls guard duty in a tower at the base, and
has some supposedly free time between those duties,
"but we usually get collected for other details then."
The base, incidentally, is housed in a partially com-
pleted palace Saddam Hussein was having built.
The Army has strung electric wires and partitioned
off rooms within the brick walls, where Elbert and his
mates sleep on folding canvas cots that. haven't
changed much since the Civil War. Food comes in plas-
tic containers from a nearby FOB, but "it's always
cold."
"When you go to the latrine, you have to put on
tactical gear, Kevlar, helmet, combat jacket and all, and
by the time you get there you're soaked with sweat.
The rooms have small air-conditioning units in win-
dows, but the power goes out pretty often and the sweat
stays."
This time of year the temperature is 130 and up at
midday, he said, and dust is everywhere.
He and his outfit are not encouraged for Iraq's fu-

ture. "A good part of our job is to train their National
Guard to be able to support their own government,"
Elbert said. "Our convoys supply them, too, and the
difference between them and our soldiers ... Well, it's
hard to see them ready anytime soon to take over their
own defense.
"You know, the Middle East history has been war,
war, war since Biblical times, over territory and reli-
gion. They most likely will go right back to that when
we leave."
Elbert isn't certain what he'll be doing when his
Iraq deployment ends. Soldiers nowadays are uncertain
about tomorrow, whether their deployment will be ex-
tended and how much, even whether their enlistments
will be stretched involuntarily.
But when his life finally settles down he thinks he
may go back to school. Or maybe take advantage of a
service benefit, a guarantee of a job with an interna-
tional trucking company. He'd like to come to the Is-
land to live, where he and Melissa celebrated their first
anniversary. However that turns out, he's enjoying
family and freedom and Anna Maria Island until he
leaves again Monday.

Florida's Gulf Coast gaining on Hollywood

By Jim Hanson
Islander Correspondent
Do you really, really want to make a motion pic-
ture? Have you got a spare $10,000?
Has Pam Kline got a deal for you!
She is film commissioner for Sarasota County, and
she and her Manatee counterpart, Gail Werner, have
some big pictures behind them and are working on still
more ahead.
Kline does her job full time, while Werner also has
to function mostly as fiscal specialist for the Manatee
County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Both have
their hands full. The area has become a prime setting
for all kinds of photographic work, from catalogue il-
lustration shoots to TV commercials to magazine ad-
vertisements to major movies.
Kline said that it is possible, just, to get a movie
project going with an investment as low as $10,000.
Ultimately it will add zeroes, but that's down the road.
If you don't have a script, Kline has a whole shelf
full of them in her office in the Convention and Visi-
tors Bureau quarters on U.S. 41, and knows dozens of
writers and actors and production people who want to
help you start a project.
She can give you a start, and no more. The rest is
up to you, with her help: finance, people, locations,
equipment, sets it's all here on the Gulf Coast.
Dozens of production companies have discovered
this over the years, and more are coming every year,
said Manatee's Werner. Not movies exclusively,
though that's where the glamor and big bucks are.
Photography is under way here for Eddie Bauer,
Beall's other major retail outlets. Some of the shots
go int; others television commercials and

Filmed in large part on Coquina Beach, "Seven
Sunday" in 1995 called for this movie-built bar
named Quinquina's.

print advertisements.
"Usually I need to know what kind of shooting it will
be," Werner said. "I can help if I know the size of the crew
involved, whether they're hiring here or bringing the crew,
estimated time they'll spend in the county, insurance, all
the details. If it's a controversial script, I'll need to take it
to the county commission. Usually the government is not
involved, unless the filming needs roads closed, a build-
ing blown up, or like that."
Sarasota and Manatee offices work together, said
Sarasota's Kline, for there's a lot of overlap in their
locations and professional people. "I've sent people to
locations in Manatee County such as Cortez and the
Gamble Plantation in Manatee County, for instance."
Catalogs are easy and they are the area's bread and
butter for photo shoots. "They come and go and don't
bother anyone and nobody knows they're around," she
said. "They book a lot of rooms, eat a lot of food, do
their work and leave and leave their money here."

Millions of dollars are involved, though no one can
calculate the total. "Out of Time" with Denzel Wash-
ington, filmed partly in Cortez two years ago, left an es-
timated $4 million in the area. Same with "Great Ex-
pectations," shot earlier in Cortez as a major location.
A picture that was produced locally by a local com-
pany, "The Yellow Balloon" by Landers ProductionZ,
has just been completed and will premiere in Sarasota
in August.
Television especially likes the area, she said.
"They like our water and our beaches and our ar-
chitecture and our lush foliage. Garden shows love
Selby Gardens, of course, and Myakka State Park has
some kind of camera magic in the way the light comes
through the trees.
"I just sent a location group to Cortez as a location
similar to Provincetown, Mass. Another company just
did a Honda commercial, starting in Myakka, then on
to another road, finally a watery road with an alligator.
We provided it all, with some arranging."
England's BBC is fond of the area, she said. The
British are gardeners, and there's a lot of attractive
gardening here. Gamble Plantation is a favorite, and
Old Bradenton, and Solomon's Castle in mid-county.
And always the beach and the water. It just doesn't
get any better anywhere than here, photographically or
any other way.
Business will only get bigger and better in the area
and in the state, Kline believes: "We are working on
doing more movie work locally, starting our own cre-
ative services industry under a new county concept as
part of overall development."
You can reach Werner at 729-9177, Kline at 955-
0991.

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Sally Shopper for Island
Lynn Berndt is "Sally Shopper" for Island residents
unable to do errands such as grocery shopping, picking
up medications and laundry or taking the family pet to
the veterinarian. Islander Photo: Paul Roat

A helping hand
from Sally Shopper
Lynn Berndt remembers a time in her life after a
family tragedy when leaving home to buy groceries or
pay the water bill was "the last thing on my mind. All
I wanted to do was stay inside."
She also remembers when she was seriously ill and
unable to leave the house, yet had no one to help her
shop, pay bills, pick up medicines or go to the post
office.
She also remembers when she used to take her
grandmother grocery shopping every Friday. Lending
a helping hand to someone in need is a memory that
will "forever be strong in my heart," she said.
So, it's no surprise that she recently founded Sally
Shopper as a service to help those who are bedridden
or can't get out of the house for one reason or another.
Sally Shopper buys groceries, picks up medicines, pays
bills and handles a multitude of other chores for any-
one who needs her.
She even makes house calls for people who just

want to "kick back and spend the day at the beach.
"Whatever your particular need may be, I can be
there for you, so you can rest or do whatever is a pri-
ority in your life at the moment," she pledged.
"Whether you're tired, whether you're ill, leave it to
Sally Shopper, so you can just chill," is the Sally Shop-
per motto, added Lynn.
For more information on Sally Shopper, call 914-
5719 or 761-7950.

Holmes Beach charter captain
now on TV
The Sports Animal Fishing Show on WDAE 620
AM-radio every Sunday has now added its own tele-
vision show, according to Holmes Beach resident and
co-host Capt. Scott Hopp.
The television show will air monthly on NBC
Channel-8 from 2-2:30 p.m. as a lead-in to NASCAR
racing on the station. The first show was filmed in Boca
Grande and broadcast Sunday, July 11
Capt. Scott said the shows will become weekly
starting in January and will be filmed at various Florida
fishing locations.
To reach Capt. Scott, call 232-4581.

Cards for fun
Island resident "Joey" with no last name is now
offering Special Readings
Se by Joey for Island entertain-
ment and fun. With more
than 30 years experience,
"Joey" gives private ses-
sions and premonition
evaluations "for entertain-
ment only" using cards and
other media. She also con-
.'. ducts sessions at parties and
special events. For more in-
Joey formation, call Joey at 778-
8626 or 544-5714.

Sun power saves money
Rainer and Tina Plabst of Holmes Beach are

looking to the power of the sun to save Islanders a lot
of money on their electric bills.
The couple recently formed Power of the Sun Inc.
to sell solar water heaters directly to homeowners. The
company also operates a wholesale division.
The Solarmaxx unit can heat and store up to 80
gallons of water and is ideal for residential or commer-
cial purposes. The smaller Solartrap unit heats up to 40
gallons.
"And they both save you a lot of money," added
Rainer. "These units don't use electricity, but the heat
of the sun."
Units are easy to operate and install, although pro-
fessional installation is available. "We like to think it's
the power of the sun saving you money" noted Rainer,
no pun intended.
For more information on Power of the Sun, call
Rainer or Tina at 739-9145 or 447-0603.

Got a new business going up in Anna Maria
Island, Cortez or Longboat Key? How about a new
product or service, an anniversary, a new hire, or an
award-winning staff member? Call Island Biz at
778-7978, fax your news to 778-9392, or e-mail us at
news@islander.org.

By Kevin Cassidy
Islander Reporter
The District 16 Little League tournament came to
an end Friday, July 9, at the Braden River baseball
complex with the Manatee East 11-12 All-Stars shut-
ting out Venice National 12-0 for the win. Pitcher Ryan
Hueler and his battery-mate Jake Carlton were the story
in this game with Heuler tossing a complete-game,
two-hit shutout, while Carlton hit a trio of three-run
home runs to provide the offense for the "beasts from
the east."
This is the same team that pummeled the Island's
11-12 All-Stars 29-0 in the opening game of the tour-
nament June 26, so the Islanders can put the loss to bed
knowing they lost to the best team in the tourney field.
The Island 11-12s also dropped a 13-0 tourney
decision to runner-up Venice National, which makes it
apparent the Islanders were in one of the tougher pools
in the tournament.
Other Manatee County teams claiming tournament
titles include Manatee National's 9-10 squad, which
defeated East Central Sarasota 15-4 to finish the tour-
ney with an undefeated record. Meanwhile Braden
River captured the Junior and Senior Division tourna-
ments. Their Senior League team defeated Sarasota 7-
2 behind a complete-game five hitter from Justin
Sauveur, while their Junior League team defeated
Manatee National 8-4 to end the season for our three
Island representatives on that team.
Though certainly not an official statistic, this is the
first time that this writer can remember when Manatee
County teams swept all four age divisions and, more
importantly, that Sarasota failed to advance one team
beyond district play.
The 11-12 Manatee East All-Stars did it the hard
way by falling into the loser's bracket after dropping
an 11-0 decision to Venice National, their second loss
to them in a week. Manatee East never lost faith
though, as they came through with a 3-2 victory over
Sarasota Central thanks to a walk-off double by Joe
Reda that scored Mick Olitsky with the winning run.
The come-from-behind win put Manatee East into
position that required them to beat Venice National two
times in a row to win the tourney. They accomplished
that with an 8-2 victory Thursday, July 8, behind a

Manatee East players mob pitcher Ryan Hueler after their 12-0 victory in the age 11-12 District 16 champion-

ship game. Islander Photo: Kevin Cassidy

complete-game three-hitter from southpaw Marc Mon-
roe.
In 9-10 action, Manatee National completed an un-
defeated tourney with a 15-4 win over East Central
Sarasota behind a complete-game pitching effort from
Cord Sandberg and a two-run home run from Kori
Harrelson. Tyler Schoppelrey added a trio of singles
and two runs scored, while winning pitcher Sandberg
contributed an RBI double to the victory.
The Junior League tourney was a coming-out party
of sorts for Islander Shane Pelkey, who was joined on
the Manatee National team by brother Tanner and fel-
low Islander Pat Cole. Shane, who had never hit a home
run at any level of baseball, hit solo home runs in his
first at bat in three consecutive games to help Manatee
National advance to the finals of the Junior League

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tourney. His three home runs led the tournament, with
his longest traveling an estimated 370 feet.
National dropped an 8-4 decision in the Junior
League championship game to Braden River, which
returned eight players from last year's District 16 title
team. Manatee National jumped on top 2-0 in the sec-
ond inning when Carldon Collins ripped a two-run
home run over the center-field fence to put Braden
River in a hole for the first time in the tourney.
Braden River righted their ship in the fourth inning
when Michael Cass came up with the bases loaded and
unloaded a grand slam to break the game open. Two
errors and a walk set the table for Cass, who was on last
year's team and the 1 1-12 Braden River team that came
within one win of advancing to Williamsport and the
Little League World Series.
PLEASE SEE SPORTS, NEXT PAGE

Pat Cole took the loss despite allowing only four
hits during his six-inning pitching performance. Cole
also added a single and one run scored, while Collins
went 2-for-3. Shane Pelkey's home run streak finally
came to an end as Braden River held him hitless.
Manatee National advanced to the finals by defeat-
- ing Manatee East 6-5, rallying to tie the score at 5-5
with three runs in the sixth inning. Manatee East came
back to load the bases with no outs, but National got out
of the jam to set the stage for a seventh-inning rally.
Shane Pelkey started the rally with a lead-off single
to left field. Two walks loaded the bases for Tanner
Pelkey, who worked the pitcher for a walk to score
courtesy runner Trevor Seeley with the winning run to
advance Manatee National to the title game.
Shane Pelkey went 2-for-4, including a homer and
two runs scored, while Bobby Dixon added a two-run
single and one run scored. Pat Cole and Tanner Pelkey
each added singles to the Manatee National offensive
attack in the victory.
Manatee National players stared elimination in the
face and bounced back in their second game behind a
complete-game six-hitter by Pat Cole. Cole allowed six
hits and struck out four while also contributing an RBI
double and two runs scored in the 10-2 victory over
Manatee Central. Shane Pelkey led off the game with
his second homer in two games, while Scott Wollett
added a pair of doubles and three RBIs. Carldon
Collins singled and scored three runs and Nathan
Mozelski had a pair of singles and one run scored in the
victory.
Manatee National opened the double-elimination
round of the tournament against pool-two winner
Manatee East and dropped a 12-9 decision. Pat Cole
went 2-for-5 and scored a pair of runs, while Scott
Wollett went 2-for-4 including a double and two runs
scored. Shane Pelkey drew first blood for Manatee
National when he hit the first home run of his young
career.
The four Manatee County teams now advance to
sectional play, which begins Saturday, July 17, in
Bonita Springs and Ft. Myers. Good luck, Manatee
County 1

Palma Sola Golf Club, sadly, closes
Nobody ever accused Palma Sola Golf Club of
being an extraordinary'golf course, but Tuesday, July
13, was still a sad day for local golf aficionados when
they send off their final foursome at 11:30 a.m.
My friends and I logged hundreds of rounds of
golf there because it was convenient place to play
and it was one of the few courses that are walkable.
Courses built today are spread out with miles to
navigate between greens and tee boxes to accommo-
date golfing communities. Palma Sola's wide-open
fairways and bouncing greens will be replaced with
550 upscale home.
I have many a fond memory of Palma Sola's

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Ryan Hueler delivers during his complete-game
shutout victory over Venice National in the age 11 -
12 District 16 championship game.

6,263-yard par 72 course, which opened in 1968.
Can't really think of any one shot or round of golf
that stands out in memory, but what I will remem-
ber and miss most are the people that made it "Sola."
Wanda from the snack bar, who made the best tuna
salad and egg salad sandwiches in the world, will be
missed, as will Mo Baranek and Bob Skelton, who
served as Palma Sola's golf pros over the years.
Baranek was the head pro for the last seven years,
while Skelton was the original pro when the club first
opened.
Other people that I always ran into whenever I
played there will also be missed. Tony Conboy, Nick

Dolphin football registration
under way at Center
The Anna Maria Island Community Center
football program is taking registrations for the
Dolphin football teams until July 23. Cost for the
season is $60 for Islanders and non-Island resi-
dents alike.
There are four age-weight divisions includ-
ing varsity, junior varsity, mighty mites and flag.
Varsity players must be age 13-14 by Sept. I and
weigh under 165 pounds. JV players must be age
11-12 by Sept. 1 and weigh under 145 pounds.
Mighty-mite players must be age 8-10 and weigh
less than 125 pounds, and flag players must be 6-
7 by Sept. 1.
All prospective players must provide a birth
certificate on registration. Sign up at the Center,
407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, or call Center
athletic director Andy Jonatzke at 778-1908 for
information.

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Bolletierri, Mike and Mary and the whole Sunrise Golf
group, which played their final round Sunday.
Farewell Palma Sola. Next on the condo chopping
block is Village Green Golf Club, while Perico Island's
battles with development are ongoing, but as the
"Once-ler," the character from Dr. Seuss' classic
children's book "The Lorax" stated, "Business is busi-
ness! And business must grow regardless of crummies
in tummies, you know."
The Lorax had a happy ending thanks to one re-
maining Truffula Tree seed and Bradenton's tax base
continues to expand, which should mean everyone's
happy. Or are they?

Reality check for Devil Rays
at All-Star break
All of the excitement generated by the Devil Rays'
recent run of success (Major League Baseball's best
30-10 record over past 40 games) came crashing to a
halt after a four-game sweep by the New York Yankees
July 8-11.
The Rays came into the series a mere three and a
half games behind the second-place Red Sox and then
stumbled to the three-day All-Star break six and a half
games behind.
How far apart are the Yankees and the Rays? Let's
start with a comparison of salaries. The Yankees pay
out a whopping $184 million for its 25-man roster that
includes Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Jason Giambi, Bernie
Williams, Mike Mussina, Javier Vasquez and Mariano
Rivera, while the Rays' payroll is $23 million, which
is actually $7 million less because the St. Louis Cardi-
nals pay that portion of Tino Martinez' salary.
Despite the disappointing series, Rays fans, play-
ers and ownership have to feel pretty good about the
team's progress. Their 41-45 record is by far their best
record at this point in the season, as is their current
third-place position in the standings.
It would be nice to hear the Rays discussing
plans to bring in ace pitcher Randy Johnson or some
veteran pitcher who could stabilize their starting
rotation, but the Johnson rumors have him heading
to the Yankees.
There will be changes for the Devil Rays, but not
those kinds of changes. Look for more of our young
talent in the minor leagues to start appearing in the
lineup so manager Lou Pinella can evaluate them on
the big stage. Players like B.J. Upton, Delmon
Young, Joey Gathright and Jorge Cantu all have a
chance to be with the big club before too long, while
pitchers Doug Waechter and Seth McClung are set
to make a return from the disabled list.
The Rays still have a realistic chance of finishing
above .500 for the first time in its history so don't ex-
pect Pinella to let them play out the string without put-
ting up a good effort.
The Rays return home for a four-game series start-
ing Thursday, July 15, when they host the Baltimore
Orioles, which is the only team they have a wining
record against.
Get out to the Trop and cheer on our Rays.

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By Jim Hanson
Islander Correspondent
Six new nests over the weekend brought the to-
tal to 80 sea turtle nests on Anna Maria Island, far
below the 200 that could be expected in a good year
for loggerheads.
Still, it's better than many in Anna Maria Island
Turtle Watch feared earlier in the season that began
in May. Suzi Fox, director of Turtle Watch here and
holder of the state's marine turtle preservation per-
mit for the Island, said the nesting rate seems about
equal to the average this year throughout the state.
Nobody knows yet why the reproduction rate is so
low.
Each city on the Island got attention from the
mother loggerheads, with three of the new nests on
Anna Maria's beach, two in Bradenton Beach, one
in Holmes Beach.
Mid-July is considered the peak for new nests,
Fox said. Since incubation is about 60 days, baby
turtles may start showing up any night now. Their
mothers bury eggs resembling pingpong balls a
couple of feet below the surface and let sun and sand
finish the job.
Meanwhile, Turtle Watch has joined two re-
search projects.
One will track.the temperatures in nests, "giving
us an overall picture of our turtle beach," Fox said.
Last weekend she and other volunteers dug down to
place quarter-size devices at the bottom of nests;
these devices will transmit data to Fox's computer
for tabulation and transfer to the state.
The other project involves a tube that allows vol-
unteers to measure oxygen levels in a nest "where
the egg clutches are." The eggs are totally self-con-
tained for the first month, although water permeable,
but then need external oxygen or the babies suffo-
cate.
Volunteers are doing the same at all renourished
beaches in Florida, Fox said. The Island's participa-
tion in the program was held up until money became
available, and the price of the temperature "loggers"
came down from $100 to $10.
Details may be obtained by calling 778-1435 or
visiting the Turtle Watch Education Center, 5408
Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Ten years ago in the July 14,1994, issue of
The Islander, headlines announced that:
The Holmes Beach City Commission agreed to
draft a resolution opposing any roundabout at the
Manatee Avenue intersection with Manatee Public
Beach.
The Bradenton Beach City Commission proposed
a tax increase of 27 percent with a millage rate of
3.4457. At the same time, the proposed city budget for
1994-95 would be $1.4 million, a 36 percent jump from
last year's $1 million budget.
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch Director Chuck
Shumard said Turtle Watch is keeping an eye on ap-
proximately 8,000 turtle eggs, about 2,000 more than
last year at the same time.

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Temps

& Drops

on A.M.I

Date
July 4
July 5
July 6
July 7
July 8
July 9
July 10

Low
78
76
78
76
76
77
77

Average Gulf water temp
24-hour rainfall accumulation with reading a

Turtle enthusiasts
Amanda Derr and Megan
Hajduk pose for a "scrap-
book moment" on their
summer visit to Anna
Maria Island. The cousins
learned about the Island's
other summer visitors -
sea turtles and how to be
good stewards of the
environment during nesting
season from Anna Maria
Island Turtle Watch
director Suzi Fox and
volunteers. Hajduk is
visiting from Georgia and
Derr is from Illinois. The
AMITW presentation is
part of the Island Branch
Library's summer
children's series. Islander
Photo: Diana Bogan

An informal, highly unscientific survey has in-
dicated that none of us can remember it being as hot
as early as it is right now:
.Now, I'd like to think that I'm not a wimp when
it comes to warm weather. Heck, as a Little Roat
growing up in Bradenton Beach, we didn't even have
air conditioning until I was old enough to drive a car.
Maybe because I'm older or something now, but
1 can't seem to stop sweating when I go outside for
the last few days. Even first thing in the morning.
There may be some evidence to validate my per-
sonal beliefs. Progress Energy, the outfit that pro-
vides electricity to Pinellas County, reported record-
setting energy expenditures in late June. No reports
since from the power company, but if they're crank-
ing up the juice in late June, think what we've got to
look forward to later this summer.
Even a dunk in the Gulf of Mexico doesn't help
much, with water temperatures at the 90-degree mark
already this season and don't even talk about the
spa-like feel of the bays.

Water temp factoid
A journalism colleague became fascinated with
Gulf water temps a few years ago and started talking
to lots of scientific types about just how warm the
waters can get.
The result: Not much more than 90 degrees.
The reason: Evaporation.
It seems that the evaporation of water tends to
cool the surface and keep the high temperature at not
much more than 89 degrees. In fact, the weather guys
in Ruskin said they couldn't find a reading higher
than 90 in a cursory check of readings going back a
bunch of years.
I remembered some 90-degree-plus days and
called the folks up to mention it, but they stuck to
their records and, since all I had was a vague recol-
lection without any data to back it up, I'll stick with
what they say.

In the cool of the evening,
it's gator season
The annual alligator hunt began Monday, with
the issuance of permits changing slightly this year.
New is the replacement of the former random
drawing for permits with a first-come, first-served
system, according to officials with the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is ad-
ministering the program.
Anyone interested in catching an alligator can re-
serve a permit at any county tax collector's office,
authorized sporting goods store or other retailer sell-
ing hunting or fishing licenses, online at
www.wildlifelicense.com/fl or by calling toll-free 1-
888-486-8356, or 1-888-347-4356.
"The best way to reserve a permit is through the
Internet," said Harry Dutton, head of the FWC's Alli-
gator Management Section. "By doing so, you'll avoid
lines and any other delays you might encounter at walk-
up locations or with the toll-free number."
Approximately 3,800 permits will be available.
Each permitted will be authorized to take two alliga-

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tors from a designated area during a specific harvest
period between Sept. I and Oct. 8.
To be eligible for a permit, applicants must be at
least 18 years old by Sept. 1. Anyone convicted of
violating wildlife laws relating to alligator trapping
within the past five years, or violating laws relating
to endangered crocodilians within the past 10 years,
is ineligible to take part in the hunt.
To reserve a permit, participants must submit
payment for an alligator trapping license and two
validation tags, or provide proof of a valid alligator
trapping license plus the fee for two hide validation
tags.
Cost for the license isn't cheap: $271.50 at a tax
collector's office or $272 at other locations. Non-
resident fees are $1,021.50 at a tax collector's office
or $1,022 at other locations. There's an extra couple
bucks if you go online, too.
And once you've got a license, don't expect a re-
bate if you get cold feet and decide the last thing you
want to do is start wrestling a 10-foot-long toothy
reptile in the dead of night. "License fees for partici-
pants in the statewide alligator harvest are non-re-
fundable except under extraordinary conditions such
as incapacitating illness or injury of the license
holder (documented by a sworn physician's state-
ment), military obligations or death," according to
the FWC in a rather no-nonsense statement, and "re-
funds will not be granted, regardless of circum-
stances, after Sept. 1."
The FWC strongly encourages permitted trap-
pers to attend a no-cost, three-hour training and ori-
entation program that will take place throughout the
state during July and August. Date and location no-
tices will be in permit packages.
Considering that I just paid more for a lowly, al-
beit legal, alligator belt than the cost of catching two
full-size alligators, though, the price doesn't seem all
that bad.
You can get more information online at
www.myFWC.com/alligator.

Scale attack in your garden?
"Deadly scales attack sago plants," is the head-
line offered by Jane Morse, the Manatee County hor-
ticulture extension agent.
Apparently something called the Cycad
Aulacaspis Scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui), also
called the Asian Cycad Scale, explodes on cycads -
sago palms in July and August. "This is an
invasive exotic pest insect which completely covers
sagos and other members of the cycad family and
eventually kills them," Morse said. You can tell if

your plants have the fungus because it looks like it's
snowed on them.
She advises treatment to consist of spraying the
entire plant with horticultural oil or fish oil, and re-
move dead scale insects. A few days later, or the day
before re-treatment, remove dead scales which are
still clinging to the plant, with the best treatment
method to spray the plant with water or by using a
brush, then re-treat with oil. Seven to ten days fol-
lowing the first application, make another applica-
tion of horticultural oil or fish oil. It will take sev-
eral weeks to control the scale.
"Fronds can be removed initially to get the in-
sects under control," Morse added, but "continual
removal of the infested fronds will not manage this
pest, it will only hasten the decline and death of the
sago due to starvation. Plants produce food in their
leaves. Using systemic insecticides alone to control
this pest will usually fail. This scale travels on the
wind, so it will re-infest from neighboring yards, as
well as from the upper root system of infested
plants."
Gardening is never-ending, isn't it?

Beach story from the south
Our friends on south Siesta Key are moving for-
ward on their first-ever beach renourishment. Cost of
the project is staggering $5.5 million for a two-
mile stretch of beach, compared to about the same
amount we on Anna Maria Island paid for about a 6-
mile stretch of sand.
And get this: Homeowners along the way will
have to pony up a total of $1 million for the project,
as opposed to Islanders having to pay nothing for our
sand. The Siesta Key cost breakout is something like
$550 a year for 10 years for a house valued at $1
million, which is probably the low-end market for
that area, and $1,650 a year for the $3 million
houses.
Probably part of the reason for the added cost of
that project versus ours is the location of the sand
source for the renourishment. For Anna Maria Is-
land, the sand came just off the north tip near Bean
Point. For Siesta, it's seven miles out in the Gulf.
Siesta residents may experience a shock when
the project starts late next year. Lido Beach under-
went a beach renourishment effort about 10 years
ago, taking sand from a deep-water borrow site. The
result was not quite as promised, as the dark gray
sand never really did bleach out to be the pure white
the experts kept saying it would.
Beachgoers and residents of Lido were less than
pleased with the dark sand, which was a lot like
walking on asphalt to get to the shore.
If what happened to Lido happens on Siesta, it
will be fun to listen to the howls, now won't it?

Sandscript factoid
Last year set a record for Florida alligator trap-
ping, with 2,576 gators nabbed by hunters, up from
the previous high of 2,527 in 2000. Average length
of the gators caught, 8 feet, hasn't really changed
according to records from 2000-04, though.

We'd love to hear your
fish stories, and pictures
are welcome at The
Islander. Just give us a
call at 778-7978 or stop
by our office in the
Island Shopping Center,
Holmes Beach.

THE ISLANDER E JULY 14, 2004 N PAGE 23

Shrimp scarce, but fish hitting well inshore, offshore
By Capt. Mike Heistand .
Both whitebait and shrimp are hard to get right
now and, factoring in scorching 90-degree waters, fish- .
ing is a little off. Nonetheless, offshore anglers report .
"red-hot" snapper action in the Gulf of Mexico, plus ,
some good catches of grouper and amberjack to 30 -
pounds. ~
Inshore fishing features redfish, trout and some
flounder. For those who are looking for a smoked mul-
let dinner, the fish are starting to school and are getting
bigger.
There are still some tarpon moving around, with
Egmont Key and off the north end of Longboat Key
producing the best action.
Capt. Thom Smith at Angler's Repair on Cortez
Road said he's been fishing off Rattlesnake Point and has
had good results with grouper, snapper, flounder and trout -.
up to 20 inches, all caught on artificial bait. Capt. Thom
added that he's getting water temperature readings at bet-
ter than 93 degrees in the area, by the way.
Bill Lowman at Island Discount Tackle said in-
shore fishing snapper, redfish and trout are the best bet,
even though shrimp are hard to come by. He suggests
using other bait small pinfish or grunts or
artificial like Cotee jigs, Mr. Twister Exudes or any

7.

Ready for registry
Pete and Lorraine Athas of Sea Trek Dive Shop in
Bradenton Beach have the marker that will be placed
on the shipwreck of the former molasses barge
"Regina" in October. The ship is scheduled to be
listed on the state's list of underwater archeological
sites as well as the National Register of Historic
Places. Islander Photo: Nancy Ambrose

First tarpon and it's a whopper!
Ben Valdivieso, 13, of Holmes Beach, caught this 90-pound tarpon while fishing with Dr. Frank Lanzisera of
Palmna Sola last week. The silver king was caught off Whitney Beach using a pass crab as bait.

lead-headed jigs. Offshore action continues to be red-
hot for snapper, but grouper are a little harder to come
by of late but are still in the deeper waters, about 150
feet or more.
Bob Kilb at the Rod & Reel Pier said he doesn't
have many shrimp, but there is bait around the pier and
fishers were able to catch a few mangrove snapper,
mackerel and some big redfish. Tarpon continue to
patrol the pier waters, he added.
Cliff Alcorn at the Anna Maria City Pier said
anglers there are catching mangrove snapper, a few
mackerel, flounder, some keeper-size snook that had to
be released since the season is still closed.
Dave Johnson at Snead Island Crab House said
he's hearing lots of reports of blacktip sharks coming
out of Terra Ceia Bay. Snapper are still hitting near the
Sunshine Skyway Bridge, big jacks have been coming
through the cut and catch-and-release snook are being
caught by Rattlesnake Point.
Capt. Rick Gross on Fishy Business out of
Catchers Marina in Holmes Beach said he's putting
his charters onto catch-and-release snook, keeper-size
redfish, mackerel, snapper and some good-size trout.
Teresa Baranowski at Perico Island Bait and
Tackle said redfish are a good bet right now, as are
tarpon off Egmont Key. There are also a few trout be-
ing caught, plus some small sharks near Longboat Pass
and there are lots of mullet roiling around right now for
the castnetters.
Capt. Tom Chaya on the Dolphin Dreams in

Holmes Beach out of Catchers said he's getting good
catches of snapper, mackerel and permit most days in
the Gulf, while inshore action includes redfish and
trout.
Capt. Matt Denham out of Catchers said he's
bringing in good catches of red grouper to 25 pounds,
gags to 15 pounds, mangrove snapper to 6 pounds,
amberjack to 30 pounds, some small sharks, plus trig-
gerfish and lane snapper on light line.
Capt. Zach Zacharias on the Dee-Jay II out of
Annie's Bait & Tackle in Cortez said he's catching
lots of trout, mangrove snapper and reds. He's using
small pinfish as bait under popping corks, and he's
finding snapper are hitting on shrimp better that is,
when he can find shrimp.
On my boat Magic, we've caught a few big redfish
up to 27 inches, trout to 18 inches, snapper to 16 inches,
mackerel to 24 inches and catch-and-release snook. We
also caught a 34-pound barracuda last week.
Good luck and good fishing.
Capt. Mike Heistand is a 20-year-plus fishing
guide. Call him at 779-9607 to provide a fishing report.
Prints and digital images of your catch are also wel-
come and may be dropped off at The Islander, 5404
Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, or e-mailed to
news@islander.org. Please include identification for
persons in the picture along with information on the
catch and a name and phone number for more infor-
mation. Snapshots may be retrieved once they appear
in the paper.

JULY CLEARANCE SALE: 50 percent off bargain
corner. 20 percent off linens and clothing. House-
warmings by Horigans in Essence of Time, Holmes
Beach.

BUTTERFLY PARK BRICK: Purchase a personal-
ized brick in the Anna Maria Island Butterfly Park.
Two lines, $40. Three lines, $50. Pickup form at The
Islander, or call 518-4431 for more information.

FREE GUN LOCK. Yes, free. Just for the asking.
Courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conserva-
tion Commission. Free at The Islander newspaper
office, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Don't be
sorry, be safe. Also free, a small supply of large,
color saltwater fish species posters featuring the
snapper family. One per customer.

Thanks, I'm So Grateful!
"If you want a real estate broker wlho will deliver a successfid
outcome and make the experience as pleasant as possible,
we recommend Jon Kent you will find a new friend!
Norm and Eleanor Burgess
Thanks so much Norm and Eleanor!
"I only work for the nicest people! You are the best!"
Jon Kent-Broker/Associate

CIMARRON Great northwest
Bradenton home in tranquil
Hi. : setting with a lovely lake view.
This home features 4BR/3BA,
-. formal living and dining rooms
plus family room with fireplace,
tile and Pergo floors. Caged
pool and spa is perfect for
entertaining or family fun.
Offered at $349,900. Please call
Zee Catanese, Broker, 778-
0777, or 794-8991 eves.

MAKE SOME EASY cash! Would like to rent your
boat for inland-waterway fishing and cruising for 7-
10 days, July 25 to Aug. 4. Call (630) 670-6730 to
discuss.

CHILD SITTER AND PET SITTER. Eighth-grade
male looking for a job. Available after school and
weekends. Call Zachary, 779-9783.

NEED A CHILD or pet sitter? Call one number and
get connected to three wonderful sitters! Tiffany,
Kari, Holly. 778-3275 or 779-0793.
BABYSITTER: RED CROSS babysitting and first-
aid certified. Enjoys playing with kids. Call
Alexandra, 778-5352.

SPENCER'S SKIM SCHOOL for beginners and in-
termediates. Free skimboard use with lessons. $10
per half-hour lesson, three lessons recommended.
Local teen, team competitor. Call 778-0944.

JOURNALIST: Part-time reporter sought for city
beat and features writing by The Islander. Must
have journalism education, experience or back-
ground relevant to government reporting. E-mail
resumes to news@lslander.org, fax 778-9392 or
mail/deliver to office, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes
Beach FL 34217.

One of the biggest names
in mortgages is right in
your own backyard.
W en you choose Chase you
are guaranteed by a variety
of products offered by one of the
nation's top mortgage lenders.
Plus, the klowledge of loan
officers like Ron Hayes who
are familiar with and dedicated
to your local community.
So, whatever your mortgage RON HAYES
needs fixed rate, adjustable rate, jumbo, govern-
ment, call Ron locally for a free consultation at
(941) 761-9808 (24 hours) or (800) 559-8025.

LARGE HOME/DUPLEX Bet-
Iter than a house! 4BR/3BA
., m mm3with a pool! Front unit is 3BR/
i I' 2BA with an oversized single-
car garage. Rear unit has been
~ s totally renovated and is a very
-. large 1 BR/1 BA with two sets of
French doors leading to the
pool. The pool has been completely renovated plus new landscaping, new
stucco and paint, new fencing, and a new paver entry and patio area for
rear unit Large 90x100 lot zoned R-2. Offered at $559,900.

PRIME BUILDING LOT 75-
by-106. Build your dream
home for glimpses of the
Gulf, endless possibilities.
Offered at $399,000.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! Would you like to
meet interesting people from around the world? Are
you interested in learning the history of Anna Maria
Island? Get involved with the Anna Maria Island His-
torical Museum, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. We
need you! Call 778-0492.

HOLMES BEACH TWO
LOTS EACH 70-BY-100-
FT., SHORT HALF-
BLOCK TO BEACH. One
lot has a duplex and the
other is vacant. Asking
$800,000 for both parcels.
Call Frank Migliore at
778-2307, or Stephanie
Bell 920-5156, for details.

The magical setting of this charm- '.
ing 3BR/2BA recently refurbished )' ,
beachfront cottage is truly unsur-
passed! Sand dunes, sea oats and 2..
shorebirds abound on this most pristine stretch of shoreline located on Anna
Maria's secluded north end. Amenities of this cozy and inviting retreat include
beamed vaulted ceilings of tongue-in-groove knotty pine, built-in bookcases,
sunny Gulfside kitchen with breakfast bar, ceiling fans, comfortable screened
lanai overlooking the ocean and a wonderful split bedroom design
complimented by two beautifully tiled baths with glass blocks and soaking
tub. There are lovely tiled floors, French doors, and lush tropical landscap-
ing enhanced by a brick paved courtyard entry. The spellbinding views of
sea, shore, and sky are the finest to be found this side of paradise! Don't miss
this rare opportunity to live the island dream! Priced at $1,795,000.
VIDEO TOUR
BROCHURE Visit our Web site at www.betsyhills.com

-----------------------------------------------7
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SEASONAL OR WEEKLY cottage-style rentals.
1BR/1BA or 2BR/1BA with pool. Walk to beach,
shopping and restaurants. 778-3875. Web site
2spinnakers.com

HARBOUR LANDINGS: Lot and dock. Beautiful
12,100 sq.ft. homesite offered by owner/Realtor.
Gated community in Cortez. $287,500 includes dock
for boat up to 35-feet Longview Realty, 383-6112, or
George Noble, 685-3372.

THREE LONGBOAT LOTS on General Harris Street,
total of 1.3 acres (MOL). Offered at $400K each.
Longview Realty, 383-6112.

BEAUTIFUL MOBILE HOME for sale on Bradenton
Beach. Steps to Gulf waters, water view, lanai,
deck, renovated. Own a piece of the Island. 55-plus
community. Great for weekend getaways, seasonal
rental income. $149,000 with share. 782-1130 or
(941) 224-3710.

ISLAND TRIPLEX
2BR/1.5BA plus 1BR/1BA and 2BR/1BA. Great
investment! Watch the sunset as you collect rent
from these charming units. Easy to see, call for ap-
pointment. Just steps to beautiful beach. $749,000.

I S Answers to the NYT Sunday Magazine Crossword are published in this week's newspaper.

Want to keep in touch? Subscribe to the "best news!" Call 941-778-7978 and charge it to Visa or MasterCard.

-. ii

KAGNEI w

.W /..WAGNER REALTY

e-mail: ami@wagnerrealty.com web site: www.wagnerrealty.com

2217 GULF DR. N.

BRADENTON BEACH

(941) 778-2246

(800) 211-2323

i 2 '.

w^^ ^ -'a'".

SNEAD ISLAND ESTATE Exquisite two-story
custom- designed home with separate guest
house all on a landscaped acre. Gorgeous
Manatee River views. Deep water and boat
dock with lift. Jane Tinsworth, 761-3100.
#101721. $2,200,000